744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 3

contents

THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF KORACH 4 D’var Malchus | Sichos In English

GIMMEL TAMMUZ: FOCUSING ON THE 6 WHAT AND NOT THE WHY Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick

PROGRESS ON THE FINAL FRONTIER 10 Moshiach & Geula | Avrohom Rainitz

IF SHE CAN DO IT… 16 Profile | T. Jacobson

WHERE IS THE HOUSE WE BOUGHT? 22 Story | Nosson Avrohom USA 744 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 EXCUSE ME FOR LIVING: ISRAEL AT [email protected] 26 www.beismoshiach.org THE BRINK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Shleimus HaAretz | Raanan Isseroff M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: FALTERING FAITH AND FIRM Boruch Merkur HEBREW EDITOR: 28 FORGIVENESS Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan Insight | Rabbi Yosef Karasik [email protected]

A LAWYER’S SOUL 30 Moshiach & Science | Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- 0272 is published weekly, except Jewish holidays (only once in April and October) for $160.00 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and in all other places for $180.00 per year (45 MIVTZA MOSHIACH FOR MOSDOS issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 Eastern 34 Moshiach & Geula | Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Wilschansky Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. AMONG THE REFUGEES Copyright 2010 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. 38 Memoirs of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Chanin Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 4

d’var malchus THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF KORACH

Sichos In English

WHAT KORACH based on an essential truth: [7] “The means “division” or “split,” and our REALLY WANTED entire congregation is all holy; G-d is Sages [10] associate Korach, not in their midst.” only in fact, but also in source, with The name of this week’s Torah Every member of the Jewish these tendencies. reading, Korach, provokes an people has a spark of holiness. Division runs in direct opposition obvious question: It is written: [1] Korach and his followers wanted to the purpose of the Torah which “The name of the wicked shall rot,” this spark to flourish. “was given solely to bring peace to and on this basis, our Sages state [2] Indeed, they were willing to risk the world.” [11] that a person should not be named everything, even their lives, for Why does a name synonymous after a wicked man. heightened spiritual experience. with division serve as one of the Why then is an entire Torah Therefore, even after Moshe had names of the weekly Torah readings? reading named Korach? told them that bringing the incense For with this name, Korach’s offering would cause them to perish, identity is perpetuated forever, since TOTAL ONENESS they did not hesitate and brought the the Torah is eternal. The resolution of this questions offering despite their awareness of Among the explanations given is depends on the definition of the the consequences. [8] that Korach’s desire was, in essence, concept of unity. Naming the Torah reading positive. Absolute, elementary oneness is Korach highlights the potential for Korach wanted to be a High impossible within the context of our spiritual growth each of us possesses Priest, to experience the absolute material world. and the desire we should show to closeness with G-d that results from As Rashi comments: [12] “The make this potential manifest. the entry into the Holy of Holies Holy One, blessed be He, has where His presence was manifest. defined limits in His world. Can you Indeed, when Moshe responded INTENT VS. ACTION turn morning into evening?” to Korach, he did not tell him that This explanation is, however, Every entity has its own distinct this objective was unworthy. insufficient, for good intentions are nature. On the contrary, as Rashi relates, not enough. The concept of division need not, [3] Moshe said that he shared the It is primarily our actions and not however, run contrary to our same desire; he also wanted to be a our intent which G-d judges. endeavors toward unity. High Priest. Whatever Korach’s intentions On the contrary, unity is more Moreover, this is not merely a were, in fact, he created a complete when it encompasses matter of desire. controversy which resulted in the divergent entities, each with a nature At Mount Sinai, G-d told the death of thousands of people. and tendencies of its own and these Jewish people that they are “a This is not a message which entities join together in kingdom of priests,” [4] and our appears appropriate to be complementary synergy. Rabbis interpret [5] this to refer to immortalized as the name of one of This is the intent of the peace the level of a High Priest. our Torah readings. [9] which the Torah was given to Every Jew has this potential Moreover, the very name Korach establish. within him. [6] is associated with division. Not that difference should not As such, Korach’s complaint was The Hebrew root word korach exist, but rather that it should result

4 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 5

in harmony. desires reflected the spiritual heights Romans would sell this office to the There is thus a place for Korach to be reached in the Era of the highest bidder. Therefore, with few in the Torah - for the Torah’s Redemption. exceptions, it was occupied by conception of Korach teaches that Then the Levites (Korach’s tribe) unrighteous men. Because their lack of virtue was not consonant with their division can serve a positive purpose, will be elevated to the station of holy duties, they would die within a and that diversity need not lead to priests, and the entire Jewish people year, and the office would be sold strife. will reach pinnacles of spiritual again. experience, for “I will pour out My On the surface, a question arises. OUR OWN DECISIONS spirit upon all flesh.” [15] The rewards of that age cannot, This was a pattern which continued Nevertheless, G-d desires man to however, be appreciated over an extended period of time, and achieve this unity on his own those bidding for the office knew what prematurely, but can be attained initiative. had happened to the previous High only as a result of our Divine service. He gives man the power - and the Priest and why. It is only through our selfless responsibility - to accomplish this devotion to the Torah of Moshe and And they could not have been totally goal, but also the free choice to ignorant of their own spiritual level. the directives of “the extension of determine the direction of his efforts. Why then were they anxious to receive Moshe in every generation,” [16] This is also reflected in Korach’s this position? Didn’t they realize the the Torah leaders of our people, that conduct. consequences? we can elevate ourselves and the He saw that after the sins of the The answer is that they did. world to the level when “the world Golden Calf and the spies, Moshe will be filled with the knowledge of But they also treasured the opportunity had prayed to G-d and had averted G-d,” [17] with the coming of of entering into the Holy of Holies and Heavenly decrees. experiencing absolute oneness with G-d. Moshiach. Similarly, Korach felt that And for this, they were prepared to give Adapted from: Likkutei Sichos, Vol. V, p. up everything - their fortunes and their although G-d had granted Moshe 114ff; Vol. XVIII, p. 187ff; Seifer HaSichos 5748, and Aharon their positions, through p. 499ff; Seifer HaSichos 5750, p. 526ff lives. See the essay entitled “The High Priest’s Chamber” in Seek Out the sincere prayer, he could affect a NOTES: Welfare of Jerusalem (S.I.E., N.Y., change and achieve his own spiritual 1994). ambitions. 1. Proverbs 10:7. He simply made the wrong 9. The challenge which Korach 2. Yoma 38b. presented ultimately resulted in a choice. 3. In his commentary to Numbers 16:6. strengthening of the High Priesthood, Rather than take the initiative to as reflected in the 24 priestly gifts 4. Exodus 19:6 establish unity by heightening the mentioned in the conclusion of the people’s connection with Moshe and 5. The gloss of Baal HaTurim to the Torah reading. Nevertheless, this does Aharon, he took a different course of above verse. not represent a positive contribution of action. 6. This concept can be illustrated on Korach himself. On the contrary, it was Instead, of seeing the possibility the basis of the Kabbalistic principle through the negation of Korach’s for harmony between differences, he (Tanya, Igeres HaKodesh, Epistle 29) influence that this advantage was caused them to clash. every Jew will reincarnate until he achieved. Korach never realized his fulfills all of the 613 mitzvos. Since 10. Yalkut Shimoni, sec. 991. there have only been a limited number mistake. 11. Rambam Mishneh Torah, the of High Priests in history, how can all His children did, however, conclusion of Hilchos Chanukah. 600,000 Jewish souls fulfill these proclaiming: [13] “Moshe is true, mitzvos? The answer is given that the 12. Rashi, commenting on Numbers and his Torah is true,” realizing that High Priest is a comprehensive soul. He 16:5. the truth which Moshe taught is the has a connection to all the Jews in his 13. Sanhedrin 110a. agent to bring about unity among generation, and through him, it is our people, and enable every considered as if they fulfilled the 14. Likkutei Torah BaMidbar 54b et al. individual to fulfill his spiritual mitzvos of the High Priesthood. 15. Joel 3:1. potential. 7. Number 16:3. 16. Tikkunei Zohar, Tikkun 69. 8. See Rashi, Numbers 16:7. 17. Isaiah 11:9, quoted by the A MATTER OF TIME We see a parallel with regard to the Rambam, at the conclusion of his From a mystical perspective, High Priesthood in the Second Temple discussion of the Era of the [14] it is explained that Korach’s period. Our Sages (Yoma 9a; Jerusalem Redemption in the Mishneh Torah. Talmud, Yoma 1:1) relate that the

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 5 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 6

thought GIMMEL TAMMUZ: FOCUSING ON THE WHAT AND NOT THE WHY

By Rabbi Zvi Homnick

of weakening faith. We not only are not privy to the “why” by It’s hard for me to recall exactly means of our limited intellects, we are when and how it began, but as far back as my early elementary school often not even privy to the “what,” years, people would turn to me with their questions and their unless it is revealed to us. * We need to problems. As I got into high school and beyond, many of those focus on “What” G-d is telling us that questions would be about matters of faith, especially from guys who He wants from us, and “what” we need were struggling with their to do to fulfill the mission that the Jewish/religious identity in the face of great temptation. I don’t know Rebbe gave us, as explained in the most why anybody thought I had any answers, but they kept coming, recent talks of the Rebbe. The only and they were often guys much older than myself. It got to the acceptable answer to “why Gimmel point that in a number of cases, staff members approached me to Tammuz” can be the “completion of the consult me or enlist my redemption” when we will be reunited involvement regarding a fellow student. with the Rebbe, “the king in his glory,” Now, personally, I could totally relate to those who were struggling immediately, NOW! with anger and resentment towards G-d, or with their baser drives and WHO CARES WHY? (if they even bothered to ask desires, but I had less than zero In the world that I grew up in, someone in a position of authority) conception of or tolerance towards study about G-d or any of the to focus on their learning and those who claimed that they had basic tenets of Jewish faith was not forget about any questions they serious questions about the part of the curriculum vitae for a may have. All the more so if those existence of G-d and/or the truth young budding Torah scholar. questions presented themselves as of Torah. In fact, long before I had Anybody with questions was told sources of doubt or as symptoms heard the Chassidic expressions,

6 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 7

“just because you have taavos being told by G-d Himself by way So even though from G-d’s (sinful cravings), does that mean of the Torah. It is only after we perspective the “why” comes that G-d is no longer G-d?” I used know the “what” that we can before the “what,” we have to start to try to convey that same idea to attempt to know the “why,” and with the “what” and only then try all comers. Since most questioners even that is only insofar as He to figure out the “why,” and even tended to formulate their queries chooses to reveal His motives. then we can only try to find the in terms of why, I often found Even when He does choose to “why” within Torah itself, as it is myself saying, “who cares why,” reveal a reason “why” He did, not our place to attribute motives since in almost all cases the person does, demands any given thing, it to G-d or judge for ourselves had a problem with the “what” and is only a partial explanation on our whether those motives meet our not so much with the “why.” level, since one can always ask approval. As the Torah teaches us, I remember once being “why” a given reason or motive is there are certain commandments approached by a fellow who was “legitimate.” At that point the that fall under the category of somewhat older than me and original “why” becomes a “what” “rational commandments,” and asking him why he was coming to and what we are trying to discern there are some that are defined as me. His reply was that there were is a whole new layer of reason being beyond the realm of the very few people he knew that “why,” which may turn out to be rational. And as the Rambam actually thought about deep beyond our understanding. Thus, writes in his Moreh Nevochim, matters in an intelligent fashion. it is only appropriate to ask “why” even the rational commandments When I asked as to why he didn’t as a means to achieving a better have details and parameters that approach the rosh yeshiva, he understanding of the “what,” but defy the limitations of reason and made it very clear that he thought not to decide the veracity and/or must ultimately be accepted on he would only get a standard acceptability of the “what.” The faith, and even the parts that we prepackaged answer as opposed to only time that we can use a “why” do understand have countless a thoughtful response tailored to to determine a “what” is in those layers of depth that we can never him and his issues. areas of Jewish law that were given hope to divine. Over the years, I heard similar over to the Torah scholars of each This rule of thumb helped me things from others who turned to generation to decide, and even in clarify and resolve a lot of me with serious issues, questions, those cases, the “why” has to have questions for myself (even though and even important personal a very strong basis in the “what” of they didn’t “bother” me – clarity is decisions. Although for some Torah as given by G-d Himself. good) and others, since a lot of reason, (that Chassidic soul business again?), I never experienced doubts or struggles when it came to the basic faith and beliefs that are the bedrock of the Jewish belief system, I still felt that it was necessary to formulate cogent and coherent responses to those of a more intellectual bent that would not be sufficiently served by my simply pooh-poohing their questions or doubts. Without the benefit of Chabad Chassidus and its relatively clearly structured approach, primarily rooted in revelation, I had to rely on a combination of my gut instincts, my eclectic research and my own thought processes. What I came up with was the idea that since we have no sensory access to metaphysical realities, the only way we know “what” is real is through

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 7 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 8

application,” (consciously and/or In the talks and writings of the Rebbe, instinctively) when studying the he focuses on how Gimmel Tammuz is works of the Rebbe, even as I found myself being blown away by the “beginning of the redemption.” a novel insight or interpretation, helped solidify for me the idea of This, despite the fact that at the time it the Rebbe as the “general, all- inclusive soul.” Because how else was thought that exile might be worse could I have “known” those things unless it somehow trickled down because the authorities could take to me through the spiritual channel advantage of the fact that he was out of that is the Rebbe? It also gave me a tremendous sense of “how good the public eye to carry out their is our portion, how sweet is our lot...,” since I knew and had nefarious plans by staging an known so many others that didn’t get or relate to these truths and “accident” or the like. realities. There was one particular “questions” result from a lack of based on submission to His will teaching of the Rebbe on the clarity as to the “whats” and the and not on our limited subject of when it is or is not “whys.” The only problem was that understanding. In fact, if He didn’t appropriate to ask “why” that was it left me feeling a little out of joint command us to try to understand totally new and breathtaking to with the Lithuanian/Misnagdic the “why” of things as explicated me. The Rebbe presented and self-perception of being a in the Torah, we would have no promoted the idea that when a rationality-based approach to right to do so, as “who are you to believing Jew sees or hears about Jewish belief and practice, and try to understand G-d?” (Chabad the suffering of another Jew, and from time to time, I would Chassidus takes it a step further, in particular the suffering of Jews encounter certain ideas that as “who are you to act as if you that results directly from being in appeared in the writings of those have your own mind, independent exile, which has the added element from that school of thought who of G-d, thus denying His absolute of “My Name is desecrated did attempt to address matters and Oneness?) amongst the nations,” then he has questions of faith, and find them When I began learning the no choice other than to scream quite disturbing. Rebbe’s Chassidus, talks and out, “but why?” It is precisely letters, I was absolutely amazed at because he believes the “what,” i.e. that this situation can only exist if BUT WHY? how much and how often the Rebbe makes the distinction it is directly willed by G-d Himself, Later, I discovered that my between the “what” and the “why,” and he believes that we can never personal process (along with the as well as the “why” that comes hope to understand the “why” of simple faith that I simply took for before the “what” and the “why” G-d’s reasons and motives even as granted) was very helpful in that comes after the “what.” we believe and accept that those understanding and relating to the Learning about the order of things motives are pure and infinite ideas and teachings of Chassidus. in the higher spiritual realms (Will goodness incarnate, that he cries Time and again, I found myself comes before, is higher than, and out to see that goodness revealed. saying “aha” as I read and learned is the source of, Wisdom, but The cry of “but why” is not things that I knew instinctively to within the internal order of Will questioning G-d and His be true long before I encountered there is the “hidden” Wisdom that goodness, it is pleading that G-d them in Chassidus. For example, is a manifestation of the Delight reveal Himself and His goodness there is the basic Chassidic and contains the “hidden reason” in a way that even we can concept that appears in the name for Will...) just helped make it that comprehend. of the Baal Shem Tov and is much more real and obvious. This Additionally, the Rebbe points elaborated upon extensively in sense of “I knew that, but never out that this question and cry of Chabad Chassidus, namely, the quite in those words or in that pain is only appropriate when it idea that the service of Hashem is serves as an impetus to do

8 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 9

everything in one’s power to the fact that he was out of the determined that he must go correct the situation and bring public eye to carry out their through what he went through in about that final resolution. Only nefarious plans by staging an order to do his work, the Moshe Rabbeinu who is prepared “accident” or the like. Chassidim throw themselves to do everything and anything to This is an illustration of the fact wholeheartedly into that work in save and protect the Jews, to give that when it comes to matters order to accomplish “what” the up his life and his place in the affecting the life of the Tzaddik, Rebbe set out to accomplish. Torah, to smash the stone tablets we not only are not privy to the These same lessons apply to given into his hands by G-d “why” by means of our limited Gimmel Tammuz in the year 1994 Himself, only he can rightly ask, intellects, we are often not even and the years that follow. The only “Why have You made things worse privy to the “what,” unless it is idea we have regarding “what” for this nation, and why have You revealed to us. The only way that happened that day and “what” is sent me?” If you just ask “why” we know “what” the arrest and happening since, can be found in and are not prepared to work to incarceration signify, and “what” Torah, and especially the Torah change the “what” to whatever each of the days of significance that the Rebbe taught and revealed degree that G-d has empowered that follow mean and represent is to us. Similarly, the only insights you to do so, and especially if based on what was revealed to us. we can glean as to “why” must be asking the question leads to a Another point that the Rebbe sourced in those same teachings, sense of helplessness and futility, emphasizes regarding Gimmel even though they cannot and that is a sign of weakness of faith Tammuz is that although the should not provide the satisfaction and that the question originates Rebbe Rayatz established the 12th of understanding and acceptance with the Evil Inclination whose and 13th of Tammuz as days of of the situation. Yes, we need to primary objective is to paralyze redemption and celebration, to us, scream and cry “but why?” and we you into inaction or misdirect you Gimmel Tammuz is a greater cause need to completely reject any into taking the wrong actions. for celebration, because even attempt to justify the current though the Rebbe cares more situation. However, all that has to WHAT AND NOT WHY about the freedom to be able to serve as the impetus to focus on carry out his life’s mission, we as the “what,” and not be distracted On Gimmel (the 3rd day of) Chassidim, care more about the by the pain and confusion Tammuz 1927, the Rebbe Rayatz Rebbe’s life and personal safety. expressed in the “why.” We need was granted a reprieve to the The Rebbe relates this to the idea to focus on “What” G-d is telling already decided upon death that for those wicked people to be us that He wants from us, and sentence and ordered to go into able to have any power over the “what” we need to do to fulfill the exile. He was later granted a full Rebbe, the Rebbe had to mission that the Rebbe gave us, as pardon and allowed to go free on voluntarily agree to the Divine explained in the most recent talks 12-13 Tammuz. In the talks and Plan and undertake the real and of the Rebbe. The only acceptable writings of the Rebbe, he focuses painful suffering for the purpose of answer to “why Gimmel Tammuz” on how Gimmel Tammuz is the accomplishing his purpose. can be the “completion of the “beginning of the redemption.” However, to Chassidim there can redemption” when we will be This, despite the fact that at the be no answer “why” the Rebbe reunited with the Rebbe, “the king time it was thought that exile must suffer that would satisfy on in his glory,” immediately, NOW! might be worse because the any level, and yet, since the Rebbe authorities could take advantage of

ADD IN ACTS OF GOODNESS & KINDNESS TO BRING MOSHIACH NOW!

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 9 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 10

moshiach & geula

In such a case, you need to be patient. In the first weeks focus on general sichos of the Rebbe so you PROGRESS win people over. After the people learn to appreciate the Rebbe’s teachings, you can start quoting to them from sichos that address who Moshiach is. Experience has ON THE FINAL shown that once people connect with the Rebbe’s teachings, they can also connect to the belief that the Rebbe is Moshiach. That is precisely what we want - that they FRONTIER believe, not just that they know that we believe. Once, on a flight to Israel, a Chassidic Jew sat next to me. On GIMMEL TAMMUZ PANEL DISCUSSION my other side sat a Jewish woman who did not seem to be religious, Prepared for publication by Avrohom Rainitz but when she saw that there was a picture of the Rebbe on my Beis Moshiach magazine, she started How can we “live with Moshiach” and telling me a story that she had with the Rebbe. When she finished her what does that mean? Can we reach a story, the Chassidic fellow told me that he is a teacher in a Skverer point where we want Moshiach like the elementary school and last Gimmel Tammuz he told the children a Rebbe does? Why is it important to miracle story he heard from a publicize the identity of Moshiach and friend. This man had received a dollar did the Rebbe tell us to do so or just from the Rebbe but after Gimmel Tammuz he lost it. He was upset approve it when asked? How can we be by this and in his heart he asked the Rebbe for a replacement. That mekarev the frum world to the day, when he bought something in Manhattan, he received a dollar knowledge that the Rebbe is Moshiach? from the Rebbe in his change! * Presented for Gimmel Tammuz. * He finished his story by telling his students: “You see, the Part 2 of 2 Lubavitcher Rebbe is alive!” What happened here? I didn’t HOW TO PUBLICIZE us that hafatza needs to be done in say that the Rebbe is chai v’kayam a way of “va’yakri” and not but since the world knows that MOSHIACH’S IDENTITY Lubavitcher Chassidim believe the TO POILISHE CHASSIDIM “va’yikra,” i.e. our job is not only to announce what we believe but to Rebbe is chai v’kayam, when he When you visit a shul as per make sure that others start told the story he felt it was natural the Rebbe’s directives and you believing it too. So when you know to say that the Rebbe is alive. know that talking about in advance that in a certain shul The same applies with the Moshiach’s identity will be met there is opposition to the subject identity of the Rebbe as Moshiach. with opposition, should you say it of Moshiach’s identity, if you will Within all groups they know that anyway or not? start out talking about it you won’t Lubavitcher Chassidim believe that R’ Chazan: The Rebbe taught accomplish anything. the Rebbe is Moshiach. So when a Chassid goes to a shul to speak,

10 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 11

the people know what he believes to the ruchnius messages you but since they are not yet convey. mekushar to the Rebbe, they may For example, when someone not be keilim to accept this. Our comes to 770 (and there are job is to make them into keilim by thousands of visitors every year), if teaching the Rebbe’s sichos or by we go over to him and the first telling miracle stories of the Rebbe thing we do is offer to help him (depending on the time and place) put on t’fillin or start explaining and when they are mekushar, they that the Rebbe is Moshiach, or will be able to accept, and gladly even if we suggest that he write to so, the fact that the Rebbe is the Rebbe for a bracha through the Moshiach. Igros Kodesh – he might not be The Rebbe once said that when receptive. But if you go over and the Rebbe Rayatz first came to show an interest in him and show Poland, the talmidim of the yeshiva him where he can get a coffee, disseminated his maamarim then afterwards, when you ask him without the title page so people to put on t’fillin, he might also say wouldn’t know who wrote it. Once R’ Sholom Yaakov Chazan Yechi and write to the Rebbe with people got used to the Rebbe’s a greater feeling of connection. style and liked it, they started Obviously, the goal The same is true when a using the title page and many were Poilisher Chassid visits 770 (as we niskarev to the Rebbe Rayatz and is not to see that many are coming in recent his teachings. years). If you start by talking to Obviously, the goal is not to disseminate the him in his language about things disseminate the maamarim without maamarim without that interest him (and there is a lot the title page. The goal is to be of material in s’farim of Polish mekasher people to the Rebbe. It’s the title page. The Chassidus about the eternal life of just that sometimes, in order to a tzaddik and about tzaddikim who reach the goal, you have to use goal is to be were referred to as Moshiach) then other means. mekasher people to he will feel that he is being given R’ Hertzl: A Lubavitcher whose his “space” and he will be open to father is a mekurav to Chabad the Rebbe. It’s just hearing more about sensitive once told me that some years ago subjects such as who Moshiach is. he traveled to London and he that sometimes, in R’ Schapiro: In Chassidus it visited a number of shuls. When he order to reach the explains the difference between a entered Poilishe shuls he was moshel and a melech. A moshel is welcomed warmly and offered goal, you have to a ruler who imposes his rule while coffee and cookies. At another shul a king is crowned by the people. they asked where he was sleeping. use other means. When we say “ein melech b’lo am” But when he entered a Chabad it means that the people are the shul someone told him that the Unfortunately, there are people ones who coronate the king. This knot in his t’fillin was not who are drawn to the extremes – is what “kabbalas ha’malchus” is according to Chabad custom. He either they only focus on the all about. Just as for Chabad responded: “Did you ask me how I gashmius, by opening a soup Chassidim, the kabbalas am? Whether I had something to kitchen or something like that ha’malchus needs to be in a drink? Whether I ate? Why are my without making sure that a p’nimius’dike manner (deep, not t’fillin the first thing you talk spiritual message goes along with superficial), so too for those about?” the gashmius, or they only focus outside Chabad whom we are I am not implying that this one on ruchnius and forget the trying to reach. They need to incident reflects on Chabad as a gashmius. accept the Rebbe as king in a whole, but we can certainly take a The right way is to combine p’nimius’dike way. This doesn’t lesson from it. The Rebbe’s way is both. When someone sees that you happen by force. to help every Jew, whether are concerned about his gashmius, This is connected with the materially or spiritually. it is easier for him to be receptive general idea of Geula. Chassidus

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 11 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 12

explains that the advantage of the then the main point is missing. revelation of G-dliness in Yemos HaMoshiach is that it comes as a SUCCESS IN PUBLICITY, result of the avoda of the LACK OF SUCCESS IN tachtonim. Since kabbalas ha’malchus is an essential aspect PREPARING of Geula, the preparation for it has Nearly two decades have to be done in a similar way, i.e. as passed since the Rebbe said to a result of the avoda of the publicize the Besuras HaGeula tachtonim. It’s not that we should and to prepare people to greet proclaim Yechi and others should Moshiach. Have we been listen but to get them to a point successful? where they themselves proclaim R’ Hertzl: We certainly can’t Yechi and accept the Rebbe’s say we succeeded because if we Malchus in a p’nimius’dike way. had succeeded, the Geula would be Some might ask, don’t we see here already. You can say that we that the Rebbe quotes the Midrash have been partially successful. that Avrohom would force his The question needs to be guests to thank G-d for the food R’ Sholom Dovber Schapiro divided into two parts: 1) Were we they ate? The Rebbe explains that successful in our publicity there is an advantage to this even The mitzvah of campaigns? 2) Were we successful though it was forced and when it in preparing people for Geula? comes to mivtzaim like mivtza t’fillin has a The easier part of mivtza t’fillin we sometimes take a similar Moshiach is the publicity and we tack, in a nice way of course, but tremendous effect can say that we have been very with a certain element of coercion. even when it is done successful in this. Millions of Jews The answer is that mivtza know that the Geula is more Moshiach is different. The mitzvah without kavana; it imminent than ever and hundreds of t’fillin has a tremendous effect of thousands have heard the even when it is done without is the act itself that Besuras HaGeula from kavana; it is the act itself that is is essential. When it Lubavitchers. Of course, as long as essential. When it comes to we haven’t reached the entire Moshiach, the heart of the matter comes to Moshiach, world we did not completely carry is the person’s kavana, especially out the horaa but we can say we when we’re talking about accepting the heart of the have done a lot. the malchus of the Rebbe! If you matter is the It’s relatively easy to do because are accepting it, you are not being all you need are some ideas of how forced! person’s kavana, to publicize the Rebbe’s message I remember that after the sicha that Moshiach is about to come of 28 Nissan, 5751, Anash from all especially when and that we need to prepare, and over the world signed a k’sav there are many ways to do this. kabbalas ha’malchus and sent the we’re talking about The publicity itself has several signatures to the Rebbe. It was like accepting the advantages: 1) The Rebbe wants a k’sav hiskashrus and people took the world to know that the time it very seriously (by the way, any malchus of the has come for Geula and we achieve Chassid who did not sign to it at this through mass media, big the time should get a form and, Rebbe! events and so on. 2) Some people after carefully reading it, should are moved by the publicity to make sign and commit to obeying the ba’tachtonim and Chassidus real changes. 3) Some people, Rebbe’s horaos). Can this be explains that the chiddush is that because of the promotion, go to a something that is forced? Of the tachtonim, as they are Chabad house and attend shiurim course not! tachtonim, will be receptive to the on inyanei Moshiach and Geula. 4) The entire inyan of Moshiach is highest revelations. So if the Even someone who does not that Hashem have a dira tachtonim are not truly receptive, attend shiurim, when he meets a

12 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 13

Lubavitcher and talks to him about HaGeula has to be in a way of Geula, he already knows that the “va’yakri” and not “va’yikra.” It’s Lubavitcher believes that the Geula not enough that we talk and they is coming in our day and that the listen. They themselves need to live Rebbe is Moshiach. with the emuna, longing and Since media campaigns target a anticipation of the coming of very broad audience, even if it Moshiach; they themselves should doesn’t “speak” to one segment of be saying Yechi. Jews, it will “speak” to others. Those who go on mivtza t’fillin Publicity always helps. Therefore, and say Yechi with their generally speaking, our promotion mekuravim, ask yourselves: How of inyanei Moshiach has been many of them understand what effective and has conveyed the they are saying? How many relate message that the Rebbe told us to to it? How many of them actually convey. accept the Rebbe’s malchus? Are When you talk about preparing they willing to fulfill the Rebbe’s the world though, I think we have horaos? a lot of work left to do. Although (It should be noted that just we have spoken to hundreds of R’ Shneur Zalman Hertzl saying the words of Yechi, even thousands of people, how many of without any kavana, accomplishes them have internalized the As of now, large something. The Rebbe says in one message? How many of them have of the maamarim about kabbalas changed their lives in order to numbers of the ha’malchus that the main thing is prepare for Moshiach’s coming? saying it. Nevertheless, obviously Any little move counts and we can religious population our shlichus to prepare the world rightfully say that everybody did are not open to for Moshiach doesn’t end with t’shuva, but is this what we call that.) success? hearing the Besuras Just like all of the Rebbe’s It’s true that in recent years mivtzaim, this mivtza will also there have been numerous baalei HaGeula and they penetrate the consciousness of the t’shuva who left their secular lives definitely don’t world at large. Many years have and became Chassidim of the passed since the Rebbe announced Rebbe. Most of them believe the believe that the the mivtzaim of t’fillin and Neshek Rebbe is Moshiach and they live and other groups have adopted the with the Besuras HaGeula. But Rebbe is Moshiach. Rebbe’s ideas. Today you can see within the religious camp we religious-nationalist kids manning haven’t been successful in getting In the best case t’fillin stands and Gerrer women people to be mekasher to the scenario they are giving out Shabbos candles. Mivtza Rebbe, his teachings and his Moshiach, including the identity of horaos. not opposed but Moshiach, will also eventually get As of now, large numbers of the through, but if we do it right we religious population are not open they are still far will speed things up. to hearing the Besuras HaGeula from accepting the The Rebbe emphasizes that the and they definitely don’t believe avoda of shlichus has to be in a that the Rebbe is Moshiach. In the Rebbe’s malchus. way of “when you come to a city – best case scenario they are not follow its customs.” That means opposed but they are still far from years have passed since then, and we need to do serious research to accepting the Rebbe’s malchus. how many Jews did each of us find out what will interest Jews of In the Rebbe’s first year of his bring to the Rebbe in that time? one particular group and excite nesius he said that every Chassid How many Jews started learning Jews of another sect and work with must be mekarev at least ten Jews and living inyanei Geula as the each one accordingly. to the Rebbe (and he repeated Rebbe wants? For Polish Chassidim, for something to this effect again in As R’ Chazan emphasized example, we can collect material 5752, before 27 Adar). How many earlier, spreading the Besuras even from their own s’farim about

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 13 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 14

chai v’kayam, about tzaddikim, about Moshiach etc. and disseminate it amongst them. Before going anywhere, you have to learn the lay of the land, what s’farim are highly regarded, and find quotes in those s’farim about Geula. When you start a conversation by quoting from something a person respects, the discussion goes in a positive direction and they relate to what you’re saying. You also need to study their style of speech. A style that suits a Litvishe person doesn’t suit a Poilisher and vice versa. It’s like if you would tap a Yeke on the shoulder on the streets of Germany to ask him to put on t’fillin, he “Where will you be Pesach night? Eating Litvishe and Chassidishe g’dolim who would likely call the police, while if the Korban Pesach in Yerushalayim!” gave their approbation you did the same thing to an Israeli he wouldn’t mind at all. You Weitzhandler in the middle of Just this year a group of have to be aware of the subtle hakafos and shouted, “Der Rebbe Litvishe men promoted a big differences between the groups lebt! Der Rebbe lebt!” campaign, with the blessings of that comprise the religious sector. We see that if we really want to g’dolim, to sign up to partake of Rabbi Shimon Weitzhandler find a way, Hashem helps. But it the Korban Pesach. On the front of told me that a few years ago he doesn’t always work out in this the brochure they write that if you went on Tahalucha to a Poilisher way. There are places that are just are asked where you will be for shul in Boro Park. He thought not suited to this and you have to Pesach, you should answer: in about how he should word his know what you can and cannot do. Yerushalayim at the Beis message, assuming he couldn’t say R’ Chazan: We are seeing lately HaMikdash and only if G-d forbid what he really wanted to. In the that the message of the Besuras the Geula is delayed will you be end he decided to be open and HaGeula is starting to penetrate elsewhere. Twenty years ago, there Hashem would help. the religious sector and is no way they would have written He told them that he was a surprisingly, it’s starting in anything like this! guest from Eretz Yisroel who came Litvishe circles. In recent years It just goes to show that to the Rebbe for Simchas Torah there is a great interest in learning nothing is impossible. It all and he described the atmosphere the halachos of the Beis depends on us: if we do what in 770. He got them excited to the HaMikdash and during the Three we’re supposed to do, if we explain point that at the hakafos Weeks there are big advertisements the concepts of inyanei Moshiach afterwards they all sang Yechi. from Litvishe organizations about and Geula, we can accomplish Some of them even asked the dozens of shiurim in Hilchos Beis what the Rebbe wants – that the bachurim for their flag lapels and HaBechira. They note that we are entire world be ready to welcome put them on their own lapels. The mamash in the generation of Moshiach. old gabbai went over to R’ Geula.

Only 1 minute from 770 ^ High Style Hotel in a small format ^ Fancy Studio Apartments @ Kitchen with all the latest technology appliances: Fridge, Microwave, Toaster 9 9 1 1 7 7 - - 6 6 9 9 1 1 - - 5 5 2 2 1 1 2 2 @ Breakfast, drinks in fridge all day @ Broadband Internet 7 7 1 1 8 8 - - 4 4 7 7 3 3 - - 5 5 9 9 3 3 7 7 @ FREE calls & video Linen & Towels changed

Fancy Bath & Shower with plenty KKIINNGGSSTTOONN HHOOTTEELL of Shampoo & Soap

14 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 15

Kupas Rabbeinu rchbu eup, Lubavitch vnahj nkl tsnu"r f"e bahtu, ,j, (718) 467-2500 ^ P.O.B. 288, Brooklyn, New York 11225 ^ (718) 756-3337

Sivan 28 - Gimmel Tammuz Magbis

B.H. Sivan 15, 5770

To all Anash, Men and Women, G-d bless you.

We are soon approaching the very auspicious day, Gimmel Tammuz. This day comes in close proximity with Sivan 28, the auspicious day that the Rebbe MH"M and the Rebbetzin arrived in the United States.

Obviously, these are very opportune days, when one should again evaluate his or her "Hiskashrus" (connection) with the Rebbe, and more important, to utilize these special days to 'strengthen' the Hiskashrus to the Rebbe. "KUPAS RABBEINU," was established with the full consent and blessing of the Rebbe, with its purpose and goal to make every effort that all of the Rebbe`s activities, institutions etc. continue unchanged. By supporting Kupas Rabbeinu, one is actually participating in many of the Rebbe's activities, and thus strengthening their Hiskashrus to the Rebbe. With this in mind, we therefore urge each and everyone of anash, men and women to support Kupas Rabbeinu in every possible way.

In this merit may we be "zoiche" that much before Gimmel Tammuz, the Rebbe will be revealed as Melech Hamoshiach and redeem us from this deep and bitter Golus and lead us all to the true and final Geulo, NOW MAMAOSH.

VAAD KUPAS RABBEINU Rabbi S.M. Simpson Rabbi Y.L. Groner

9 9 1 1 7 7 - - 6 6 9 9 1 1 - - 5 5 2 2 1 1 2 2 P.S. Please send all correspondence only to the above address. 7 7 1 1 8 8 - - 4 4 7 7 3 3 - - 5 5 9 9 3 3 7 7 You may also send Maimad, Keren-Hashono, Magbis etc. to Kupas Rabbeinu.

Eretz Yisroel address: KEREN KUPAS ADMU"R / P.O.B. 1247 / KIRYAT MALACHI / ISRAEL 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 16

profile

BIRTHDAY PRESENT In order to appreciate true Chassidic strength you have to IF SHE meet Chaya Mussia Alnatanov. An hour spent in her company sets your priorities straight and amazes you – and maybe embarrasses you, too. Her hiskashrus to the Rebbe CAN DO IT MH”M and his horaos and her passion to connect everyone to the generation’s source of life, spur her on in her work as the Rebbe’s By T. Jacobson shlucha. What makes this extraordinary is that Chaya Mussia is not an ordinary bas Chabad. She The story of Chaya Mushka Alnatanov, is what is called a person with “special needs,” but despite her a Bas Chabad who doesn’t allow her physical limitations she is utterly handicaps to deter her from preparing devoted to the Rebbe’s horaos. She demonstrates that anyone can be a the world to greet Moshiach. shlucha of the Rebbe and bring the Geula. The Alnatanov family is a Chassidishe family far from the spotlight. This year, Mrs. Ruti Alnatanov, Chaya Mussia’s mother, thought about what gift she could give to the Rebbe for Yud-Alef Nissan 5770 and decided to publicize Chaya’s story in order to give the Rebbe nachas and to give women and girls a heroine to emulate. Exposing herself to the public eye goes against the grain for Ruti and so she asked the Rebbe about it in the Igros Kodesh two times. The Rebbe thanked her for her gift. This led to my visit, which made a profound impression on me and filled me with great admiration for the parents, children and especially Chayale. The Alnatanov home is one where you will find hiskashrus, Moshiach, Geula, Ahavas Yisroel, and simchas ha’chayim enveloping you as soon as you walk in. It is no wonder that such a devoted soldier of the Rebbe emerged from this home.

FAMILY BACKGROUND In order to understand Chaya’s

16 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 17

uniqueness we asked Ruti recommended that we take to give us a little bit of Chaya to Hadassah family background: hospital in Yerushalayim. * * * The doctors in Afula did I was born in moshav not want to cooperate, but Meitav in Chevel Taanach, Dr. Mordechai Lemberg, a to the Yosef family. We Lubavitcher Chassid, were traditional, keeping helped us deal with the red Shabbos, kashrus and tape and get a referral to more. My parents, who Hadassah Ein Kerem. came from Kurdistan, The doctor we met with were from very religious immediately denounced homes. I attended the the treatment Chaya had Chabad school in Taanach. gotten until then and My father a”h was very explained that the active in the school, medications were fighting government contraindicated. At bureaucracy on its behalf. Hadassah they discovered Although he wasn’t the source of the problem officially a Chassid, he was – an inability to break very mekushar to the down a certain nutrient Rebbe and he instilled this and a deficiency in vitamin emuna in us. B. They gave her the I was in a Chabad vitamin she lacked and she school until eighth grade improved dramatically. and went to high school in She made significant progress and even began Kiryat Tzanz in Netanya. I Chaya was in the NICU for two to walk. then went to teacher’s seminary in weeks and then we took her home. The lack of oxygen at birth Chaifa, taking the preschool track. A few months later I sensed that caused brain damage which is Through the family of R’ Avrohom she wasn’t developing normally but called cerebral palsy (CP). She Dunin, shluchim in moshav the doctors didn’t notice anything attended a preschool for children Meitav, with whom we were very wrong. As a preemie she was being with her condition and unlike her friendly, I met the legendary family monitored but the doctors didn’t physical development, her mental of R’ Reuven Dunin in Chaifa. It think her development was development was fine. Her was at his home that I went from unusual. Chaya was two and a half teachers recommended being a mekureves to a full-fledged when she began having seizures. transferring her to a Chabad Chassida of the Rebbe. I became She was hospitalized and given school, and we gladly did so. engaged to Amnon Alnatanov who medication. Instead of helping her, Chaya did well there and was had attended Chabad yeshivos and it only made things worse. They one of the best in the class despite we were married in 5743. tried treating her with other her physical limitations. Until A year later, our oldest medications but her condition fourth grade she was in a regular daughter, Chaya Mussia was born. deteriorated. Throughout this time classroom and was accepted by her We named her for the Rebbetzin we wrote to the Rebbe but did not teachers and classmates. even before 22 Shevat, 5748. receive a reply. We continued writing and asked for a bracha and CHILDHOOD guidance and finally we received a MORE CHALLENGES response which said to consult Chayale’s birth began as a After several years, her seizures with a family doctor. natural birth but complications set began again. We went to another We went to the family doctor in. The baby was in distress so I doctor who saw on the EEG that who was already familiar with had a C-section. Apparently during she was suffering from epilepsy. Chaya and we updated her on the the birth she was deprived of The new treatment provided only situation and said we had an oxygen but we only discovered that temporary relief. They tried all answer from the Rebbe. She later. kinds of medication but without

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 17 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 18

her and she was home all the time. Chaya had an attack during the visit After a lot of looking we found a and I tried to help. I offered a cup of program at Gil V’Oz near Beit Shaan, a half an hour away from water, which didn’t help. I went over to our home. It was called a day center for the piano and began to play but that, the elderly but they also had disabled young people in the too, didn’t help. I began to sing Tanya program. Chaya got settled there but since she grew up in a and Chaya responded to that. Her Chassidishe home she was very connection to Tanya is deep. sensitive to those things that were not al taharas ha’kodesh. The success. Doctor after doctor tried A man with a beard and knitted music disturbed her a lot and to treat her but all were yarmulke came over to me and anything that wasn’t done unsuccessful. The epileptic attacks asked me what was wrong. While according to Chassidishe standards came in different forms, some of we spoke he took out a picture of bothered her. The place wasn’t them so severe that she lost the Rebbe and said, “This will help frum and the people there came consciousness. you,” and he walked away. from kibbutzim and moshavim and They recommended that we I went back to my daughter. couldn’t be told what to do. consult with the Israeli She was doing well and the The way it worked at Gil V’Oz organization for epileptics and they hospital soon released her. It was was that each client had a talk told us about Dr. Schiller at another proof that the Rebbe was once a week with one of the Rambam hospital in Chaifa. We constantly with us. The Rebbe directors who was a social worker. asked the Rebbe for a bracha in gives us encouraging answers all In this conversation they could the Igros Kodesh and the letter we along. Since Chaya suffered from raise topics for discussion, opened to said that Hashem gives various kinds of attacks and her complaints, criticism, suggestions doctors permission to heal and we body was overloaded with etc. The center provides should go to a doctor who is an medication, she was weak and individualized activity plans in expert in his field. We went to Dr. contracted an infection in her which each client is given an Schiller and he discovered that pancreas. We went to the hospital activity program of their choosing. Chaya was suffering due to a when Chaya did not feel well, and Chaya wanted to learn Torah and buildup of one her medications. the tests showed that everything the staff tried to accommodate her, He treated the problem while we was more or less normal and they but Chaya was bothered by the emphasized that we had a bracha wanted to release us. atmosphere and the mixed from the Rebbe. Chaya gave out Before they released us another genders. There were some frum Moshiach cards at every visit. doctor came in who reviewed the people on the staff but even they We ended up in the emergency results and discovered that her could not change the tenor of the room many times over the years. body was rejecting sugar. He place. Chaya had attacks that we couldn’t hospitalized her, did another test, In her weekly talk with the control and necessitated and saw that her condition was social worker, Chaya was sad. She emergency medical treatment. very serious. The doctors said she wanted to make a difference, to be Some of the attacks were very was sick because of all the pills a shlucha, but she didn’t get the severe and as a mother, it was very and this caused us to rethink our cooperation. The social worker, hard for me. One time, we rushed approach and to switch to who understood her, devoted the to the emergency room and Chaya homeopathy. first ten minutes of their continued seizing. My husband conversation to listening to Chaya and in the following ten minutes remained by her side and I went to ON A MISSION the phone to call (I don’t she spoke and Chaya listened. Until she was 21 Chaya learned remember who anymore) to ask Chaya told her about Chassidus, in an appropriate setting as per the for the Rebbe’s bracha. I stood about the Alter Rebbe and Tanya law regarding the handicapped. near the public phone crying and and how she wanted to learn more When she completed that, we pleaded with the Rebbe to help me. and join shiurim. She told Chaya a could not find a good program for little bit about herself; that she was

18 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 19

drawn to spiritual matters even though she had grown up in an irreligious home. That is how Chaya’s shlichus at Gil V’Oz began. She gave out pictures of the Rebbe to whoever wanted them. The employees in the kitchen and the caretakers learned to ask for the Rebbe’s bracha for every problem and we would write to the Rebbe for them in the Igros Kodesh. One of the women, a Holocaust survivor from a kibbutz who originally came from a frum home, said that since the war she was angry at G-d. We began to slowly be mekarev her and she softened a Chaya’s mivtzaim bag little. When she confided that she a ‘house father and mother’ who inyanei k’dusha and especially was worried about one of her make home visits to the disabled, loves to listen to niggunim and to daughters, who was having do activities with them, walk with learn Tanya. Michal brought the complications in her pregnancy, I them and make sure that the house Sharim Tanya CD as a gift and it suggested that she write to the is running properly. Boruch and became a very important part of Rebbe. We wrote a letter and she Roytal, Chaya’s mentors, are Chaya’s life. made a good hachlata and the next kibbutznikim, special people with As per her request, we played day she happily announced that all lots of Ahavas Yisroel. They the CD when she had an attack was well. We brought her a picture learned Chassidus from Chaya, got and it helped (and helps) her of the Rebbe and since then she CD’s from her (more about that improve. Chaya found the started attending farbrengens at later) and Boruch said that Chaya telephone number of R’ Elor on the kibbutz with the shliach R’ Ro’i is accomplishing things with him the packaging and asked to speak To r . that nobody else has managed to to him, and that is how their Chaya was disturbed by the accomplish! connection began. She wanted to opera music which played in the meet R’ Elor personally and we background in the computer room. went to Rishon L’Tziyon to the I asked permission to play Chabad A TANYA THAT Volner home. niggunim and the person in charge STOPS ATTACKS *** made it conditional on the Chaya has started giving out R’ Elor tells about meeting agreement of those who visited the CD’s of Sharim Tanya (Singing Chaya: computer room. Agreement was Tanya) wherever she goes, whether “Two years ago, the parents obtained and we began playing the to her daily study program, doctor called me and said that Chaya niggunim of the Alter Rebbe. visits, the emergency room, etc. really enjoys the Tanya CD. They Menachem is an old man who is a She is in constant contact with R’ wanted to visit and I was happy to genius and very knowledgeable. He Elor Volner, who produced these oblige. Chaya had an attack during spends much of his time in the terrific CD’s. the visit and I tried to help. I computer room working on a book Two years ago, the organization offered a cup of water, which he was writing. Menachem was Yad L’Yeled HaMeyuchad, in didn’t help. I went over to the particularly impressed by the conjunction with the special piano and began to play but that, niggunim and he asked that we education teacher’s program at too, didn’t help. I began to sing continue with it. In the ceramics Beis Rivka seminary, started a Tanya and Chaya responded to room niggunim were played too, at mentoring project. A student there, that. Her connection to Tanya is Chaya’s initiative. Michal Bronsberg of Afula, came deep. Her connection to The organization Joint Israel to us to meet Chaya. I explained to spirituality, Torah and Chassidus is founded a support group for the her that Chaya is interested in handicapped. The project includes very impressive. Chaya seeks to

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 19 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 20

“I have been seeking spiritual meaning for many years now and my meeting with Chaya was no coincidence! Yesterday, she gave me a Tanya for beginners. I began reading but the material was too hard, so Chaya and I arranged to learn together on Mondays when the Center is quieter. We began with chapter one. Chaya reads a line and explains it. “Yesterday there were other people there and when Chaya A dollar from the Rebbe that Chaya received from her teacher Malka Nisselevitz. began explaining they all listened, Malka won the raffle for trips to the Rebbe several times and ended up receiving 90 dollars from the Rebbe. Malka and her husband have given out the dollars even the biggest talkers. I am at for educational purposes, raffles, etc. the beginning of my spiritual journey and I am happy that I have learn more and more. She buys hundred interviews could not do a teacher with such a pure CD’s for distribution and gives and gave me a lot of material for neshama. We will continue to learn them out all over. my own soul searching. To what and progress together.” “She has given out 100 CD’s to extent do I make use of my A teacher named Hila relates: date! That’s an impressive abilities to proudly be mekasher “I know Chaya as a diligent achievement for any bas Chabad those in my environment to the student, serious and responsible, and an especially great Rebbe MH”M? who loves to learn Torah. Thanks achievement for Chaya who, At the Center I saw the warm to Chaya I learned about Tanya. despite her limitations, does her interaction between Chaya and her We learn together in the blue book shlichus with a consistency that we teachers and caretakers, and I (Tanya for beginners) with Chaya would all do well to emulate.” witnessed what I had been told by directing the shiur towards Ruti. Chaya is loyal to the Rebbe’s important topics. We began with request that inyanei Moshiach and math but she directed the lesson TRAVELING towards the study of Tanya. BEIS CHABAD Geula be internalized, each in their own way. And who could remain “Chaya gave us CD’s from Elor It’s a fact. When Chaya is in indifferent when Chaya presents Volner. She writes stories and I the midst of an attack, listening to hiskashrus to the Rebbe, Tanya, feel more like a student than a Sharim Tanya revives her. The CD Igros Kodesh etc. in her sweet and teacher. When Chaya has a hard player is always accessible in her determined manner? Her smile morning we listen to Sharim Tanya “Beis Chabad” bag, ready to be helps her accomplish her goals as I for ten minutes and then we can used when she needs it. was told time and again. begin our studies.” Everyone who knows her is Natalie, the art teacher relates: Dorit, the physiotherapist familiar with her mivtzaim bag, “I met Chaya in Cheshvan. She relates: which contains Moshiach cards, wanted to work with paper mache “Chaya teaches me a lot about CD’s, an mp3 player and other and I listened to her ideas and we Tanya, about the Lubavitcher material. In a bigger bag she has got started. Chaya helped with the Rebbe and the history of the what her students call “the blue preparations and everybody loved Chabad Rebbeim. From Chaya I book” – Maschilim Tanya, and the the results – magnificent learn what faith is. She wants only non-Jews she meets learn about pomegranates. That’s how we Chassidic music; nothing else will the Seven Noachide Laws when connected, through art. In the do. She teaches me about simchas she gives them the “7 for 70” middle of the project, which ha’chayim. When Chaya climbs the cards. requires monotonous work, we ladder she brightens the room with A day program was recently began talking about searching for her laughter. I feel that she imbues opened at Mercaz Gravsky in spirituality. I asked questions and me with a lot of compassion. She Migdal HaEmek. A visit of a few Chaya supplied me with the right introduced me to Chitas and she hours at the Center did what a answers. gave me a Chitas as a gift. With Chaya’s help I asked the Rebbe a

20 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 21

question in the Igros Kodesh and opened to a precise answer. Thank DON’T WORRY you to Chaya and her special Ruti relates: mother.” My three brothers, Efraim, Menashe, and Shimshon, served as Ruti concludes: soldiers in the Yom Kippur War. Efraim was in the Golan Heights, “I thank the brilliant serving first as an artillery operator and then as a tank commander. organization Yad L’Yeled The news from the northern front was terrible and my parents were HaMeyuchad of Aguch and those very worried. It sounded like no soldier would make it out alive. As who run it: Rabbi Menachem the war progressed there was no communication between the Blinitzky, Rabbi Reuven Kupchik soldiers and their families and our imagination, fueled by the harsh and Mrs. Sarah Rivka Lifsh, the reality, conjured the worst. From the moment the depressing news coordinator of activities. This from the north started coming in, my parents acted like mourners. organization gives so much to My father was inconsolable. Our strong, optimistic father, full of parents who see that there are emuna and simcha, didn’t eat or drink. They were also worried other families of Anash in similar about my other two brothers who fought further south but they circumstances. It unites us into were mainly apprehensive about Efraim on the Heights. It was very one big family. It’s no comfort that hard for us children to deal with the complete change in our home. others are suffering too but the One night, my father had a dream that the Rebbe came to the achdus on Shabbatons gives us so moshav with a large group of Chassidim. The Rebbe led the way much. Thanks for everything: the and near him stood my father and another member of the moshav. lectures, the fun outings, the The Rebbe was in the center and the Chassidim were behind him, subsidized Shabbatons and your dancing and rejoicing. In the dream, my father was very sad as he devotion. was in real life at that time. The Rebbe said to him: “My son, why “As believing Jews who learn are you sad?” Chassidus, we have to be battel to My father told the Rebbe that he was worried about his sons who G-d’s will. Of course, like all were fighting in the war. The Rebbe calmed him and said: “Don’t parents, our desire was to raise a worry. The three of them will return in peace.” healthy, normal child but if The other person asked the Rebbe why he related to my father Hashem’s will is that our daughter with such warmth and wasn’t that way with all of them and the be this way, then we accept that Rebbe answered, “Because he is a precious Jew.” and fulfill our shlichus to As I have said, my father was very mekushar to the Rebbe. transform the world into a dira for My father woke up that morning, washed his hands, and was Him, together with Chaya, with back to his old self. Life returned to normal. When we expressed joy. surprise over the change in him, he explained that he had seen the “Although today, people accept Rebbe and was no longer worried. Boruch Hashem, my three special needs children more readily brothers were miraculously saved. than in the past, there are still May this story serve as an ilui neshama and z’chus to R’ people who think that raising a Yitzchok ben Dovid Yosef, a Chassid and mekushar to the Rebbe special needs child at home is not MH”M. good for the rest of the family; that it’s burdensome and requires enormous reservoirs of money and volition, with joy and pride in her Chaya, and she wants to provide emotional and physical effort that and her achievements. They learn help and love to other special are at the expense of the other to give, to deal with hardships, and needs children. children. In our experience, we see to relate with love to those who are The Gemara (Yuma 35b) says, that the opposite is true. Yes, it’s different.” “Hillel obligates the poor, R’ very hard, but our children have *** Elozor ben Charsom obligates the not only not lost out; they have rich, Yosef obligates the wicked.” gained so much. While other Ruti’s daughter who graduated high school chose the special Allow me to add: Chaya Mussia parents work to develop Alnatanov obligates us all, the Chassidishe middos and Ahavas education track in seminary. When she was asked why she picked it, N’shei u’Bnos Chabad of the Yisroel in their children, our generation of Geula. children live with it every day. she said that she has a lot of They stand by Chaya of their own experience thanks to her sister,

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 21 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 22

story

According to the general rules established by reality, R’ Guy and Dalia Shemi from Tzfas’ Ramat WHERE IS Menachem Begin neighborhood should not even be living in their house! Anyone who heard about their plans twenty years ago to buy a home there merely chuckled. All THE HOUSE the apartments had been sold, and what neighborhood resident would now sell his apartment shortly after he bought it? Furthermore, even they could find such a person, he WE BOUGHT? would surely ask an exorbitant price. Yet, the reactions of the various real estate agents and others with whom they spoke By Nosson Avrohom didn’t make them lose their calm Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry and composure. They knew that they were equipped with the Rebbe’s bracha, and in such a We had moved into a small unfurnished situation, the laws of nature don’t apply. basement apartment without even a The Shemis lived for two months in an old basement without phone. We remained hopeful that the a telephone line. day would come when the Rebbe’s Yet, despite all this, their faith was not weakened, and they bracha would be fulfilled – and that continued to believe and remained optimistic. In the end, as in many day came more quickly than we ever other stories with the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, the reality could have possibly thought… surpassed their wildest imagination. Not only did they get a house in one of the best parts of the neighborhood, but they paid a bargain price for it, as if they were one of the first buyers. Their acquaintances and new neighbors were positively stunned when they heard their story, to put it mildly, and none of them had the slightest doubt of the hand of Divine Providence that arranged for it all. “We didn’t even know where the house was located when we bought it…,” R’ Guy recalled with some emotion. “We were told an address, the Rebbe gave a bracha, and we put down the money without even going to check it out.” * The scene of a typical street in Tzfas’ Ramat Menachem Begin neighborhood

22 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 23

“I was born and raised in Rosh HaNikra on the Lebanese border One Shabbos led to another, each visit in a non-Torah observant home. At spurred the next, until I was quickly the time, I still knew virtually nothing about living a life based on counted among their growing circle of mitzvos or how to fulfill them. However, I always sensed that newcomers to the teachings of something was missing in my life, creating a feeling of emptiness that chassidus. merely intensified over the years. In practice, a tremendous process Rishon, 5752, all the bachurim understood rather quickly that she leading to a deep and inner who had come from the United had been seriously considering the revelation began when I completed States on shlichus went back to whole idea and had developed a my military service, and it grew ‘Beis Chayeinu’, and I joined them. very strong connection with the infinitely stronger during a big trip I had already managed to hear neighborhood. For my part, I that I made to Australia. My about and internalize the concept preferred to remain in Kiryat roommate on the trip would leave of what a ‘Rebbe’ is and the nature Chabad and be close to the center the apartment every Friday to go of his strength, and I had a of action. We eventually decided to spend Shabbos at the Chabad burning desire to see it for myself. ask the Rebbe and act in yeshiva in Sydney, which set aside I spent a period of time in 770, accordance with his reply. This a special room for Israeli guests. which built me into a proper was around Shevat, 5754. “Every Motzaei Shabbos, he chassid and I decided to enlist in “I called the secretariat and would come back charged with the king’s legion. spoke to Rabbi Groner. I told him excitement, and eventually I found “From there, the journey to the the whole story about how my wife myself swept up by his enthusiasm, yeshiva in Tzfas was indeed a short wanted to move, while I opposed asking if I too could drink from one. this idea for my own reasons. I the well that filled him anew each “In Tishrei, 5754, I married my requested that he ask the Rebbe week. The bachurim in charge of wife, who had gone through her two questions: a) Should we buy the activities with the backpackers own process of kiruv and had been an apartment now or should we were Rabbi Yossi Ginsburgh (today learning in the Machon Alte wait? b) Should we buy the rosh yeshiva in Ramat Aviv) Institute. We made the decision to specifically in Ramat Menachem and Rabbi Shlomo Raskin (today stay and live in the Holy City of Begin? After a few days, Rabbi on shlichus in Germany). They Tzfas, near the Chabad community Segal from Afula called to give me were there after their year on where we could learn from those the Rebbe’s unequivocal answer: ‘k’vutza’ with the Rebbe and were who already had far greater move to Ramat Menachem Begin very active in their activities with experience than us in the ways and and deal with the matter now these young people. After my first teachings of chassidus. without delay. meeting with them, I felt that I had “A few days after our Sheva “If this was the Rebbe’s answer, found a hidden treasure. One Brachos, the Chabad day care there was no putting things off. We Shabbos led to another, each visit network in Tzfas opened a branch went out to start looking for a spurred the next, until I was for the residents of the new house in the neighborhood. quickly counted among their neighborhood of Ramat Menachem “The company that built the growing circle of newcomers to the Begin. Ten children had been neighborhood was government- teachings of chassidus. registered and my wife was offered operated – Shikun V’Pituach. All “Shlomo Raskin was my a position there as an assistant. In of the hundreds of houses there primary teacher and study partner. the meantime, we rented an had been constructed according to We would sit for long hours and apartment in Kiryat Chabad and a similar design – a standard study all the Torah subjects. It can we were quite happy. three-room dwelling. This was part be said that he built the initial “A few months later, my wife of the overall plan for massive foundations of my spiritual world. asked me why we don’t just buy a construction throughout Eretz With every passing day, I house in the new Ramat Yisroel to accommodate the large committed myself to fulfilling more Menachem Begin neighborhood. At waves of immigrants coming from and more mitzvos. first, I rejected the suggestion with the former Soviet Union. Many “Shortly after Chaf-Zayin Adar a shrug of the shoulder, but I new immigrants were arriving in

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 23 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 24

remained hopeful in our hearts At ten o’clock in the evening, we heard that the day would come when the someone pounding at the door of our Rebbe’s bracha would be fulfilled – and that day came more quickly apartment. It was Doron Tzur. “I’ve than we ever could have possibly thought… been looking all over town for you!” he “One of the real estate agents in town with whom we had been in exclaimed. contact, R’ Doron Tzur, a most admirable Jew from the ‘knitted the country at the time and there apartment, much more than they kippa’ community who had great was no place to settle them, had paid to the state–run company respect for the Rebbe, came to us requiring the government to that sponsored the housing project. with some amazing news that we double and triple the number of Under pressure to buy an could hardly believe. residential homes. Within a few apartment? No problem. Just pay “When we had come to him a months after the sale of these low- double; that’ll do the trick. As time few months earlier to ask if he priced housing units commenced, passed, we discovered that the could find us a house in the Ramat all of them were gone like project had been due to hit the Menachem Begin neighborhood, hotcakes. When we called the market at the start of 5752, but at he looked at us with astonishment company’s offices and asked about first no one was interested. People and merely asked, ‘Are you the possibility of buying an were hesitant about moving to a serious?’ It simply sounded futile apartment in the neighborhood, new neighborhood at the edge of to him to ask for a house in a the clerk on the line laughed and the city limits. However, there neighborhood where all the houses told us that not a single place was were a number of residents who had been sold. Yet, when we told left. courageously took up the offer. him we had the Rebbe’s bracha, he “The cost of the apartments Others soon followed them until all was satisfied and said that he available through this project was the houses had been sold. would try to help us. significantly lower, and the “After a lengthy period of “Then, just two months later, residents also received a nice searching, we had just one option, after Chaf-Zayin Adar, 5754, at government grant. They jumped at an apartment going for forty-five ten o’clock in the evening, we the offer. The next stage was going thousand dollars – almost twice heard someone pounding at the to the real estate agents. We asked what he had paid. When he saw door of our apartment. It was them to inquire if perhaps that we were serious in our desire Doron Tzur. “I’ve been looking all someone purchased an apartment, to buy, even at such an over town for you!” he exclaimed. regretted doing so, and now exaggerated price, his appetite Since we had no telephone, he had wanted to sell it. We ran around grew. He told us that the house a difficult time finding me. When from one agent to another, but was in fact not his, but his wife’s, he calmed down, he said that he every one of them without and she had decided that she had found a house for us! exception gave us a negative wants fifty thousand dollars for it. “I stood there stunned and response. There were those who To this type of extortion, we would surprised. He explained that there agreed to try and help us find not agree. was a Jew who had cancelled his something, but they too came back “In the meantime, we had apartment purchase, and the empty-handed. We didn’t want to moved into a small unfurnished property had returned to the hear about any apartments basement apartment in the nearby original seller, the Shikun elsewhere in town. The Rebbe had Canaan neighborhood without a V’Pituach Co. One of the given us a bracha for a place in telephone or even the most company’s clerks, an old friend of Ramat Menachem Begin, and minimal conditions (cell phones Mr. Tzur, informed him of this that’s where we would live. In the were not very accessible in those development. It seems to me that end, after several long days of days). Nevertheless, we continued my intense desire for a house in searching and rushing around, we to believe in the Rebbe’s bracha the neighborhood had touched his learned that there were two buyers with complete faith. While we had heart. He had already spoken to who wanted to sell. stopped actively looking for the clerk previously on the matter, “Each of them was asking an apartments, as we had already asking that he should call him if a astronomical price for their exhausted all our options, we house in the neighborhood should

24 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 25

become available. Now when the Doron already knew all the clerks, paying only fifty thousand shekels, clerk called him, he quickly started he went straight to the saleswoman part of which we received in looking for me before someone and told her about me and my another conditional loan if we lived else got wind of the offer… interest in this house. She agreed in the house for at least fifteen “The very next morning, I without any objection, and thus years. When I came to check the drove with him to the company’s without even seeing the house or apartment that I had bought on offices in Karmiel, still unable to knowing where it was located, I paper, I discovered that it was in absorb what was happening. signed on the deal. I submitted the an excellent location, a corner Before we headed out, I stopped at entitlement certificate to her, made street with a marvelous view – all the bank to request an entitlement an advance payment of a few thanks to the Rebbe. certificate for a mortgage. I had no thousand shekels, and bought the “The truth must be said,” Guy understanding of the process; I apartment at the original price Shemi concluded, “we didn’t lift a knew only one thing – I was taking paid by the first owners. finger. We received our house with out a loan with the Rebbe’s bracha, In addition, we received a the Rebbe’s bracha on a silver which would only produce good government grant amounting to platter…” results for me. When we arrived at approximately fifteen thousand the company’s offices, where dollars, and thus we ended up

 Express service texprx ahru,   Fully Computerized nnujac vnars 

331 Kingston Ave. (2nd Flr) Brooklyn NY 11213

Get your tickets within minutes! (718) 493-1111 ej t, vfryhx akl c,ul nxpr seu,! nxpr c,ul akl vfryhx t, ej Fax: (718) 493-4444 LIVE SHIURIM 0NLINE cwwv Anywhere, Anytime ! CHITAS j,ww, INYONEI GEULA unahj dtukv gbhbh & MOSHIACH rncwwo RAMBAM ckeuyh ahgurho SHIURIM IN LIKUTEI eusa ahju, SICHOS KODESH

WWW.770LIVE.COM ugs kguko vnahj nkl urcbu nurbu tsubhbu hjh

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 25 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 26

shleimus ha’aretz

this sorry situation rests squarely on the shoulders of the Israeli government, for their being greedy on backs of Israel’s citizens! EXCUSE ME Our responsibility now as Lubavitchers is to show the world that what happened is just one more proof of the truth of the Rebbe’s nevuos (prophecies) about FOR LIVING: what would happen if we even sat down for talks...Use the energy of this moment to point out to Israel and its extensions, AIPAC and JRC (the Jewish Republican Coalition), ISRAEL AT that constant lobbying to Washington to continue this failed cause is only bringing more calamities upon our Jewish brethren around the world. THE BRINK Now more than ever we must realize that this is a PR war and it must countered with the same ammunition. They are putting By Raanan Isseroff millions into a clever Madison Avenue created campaign and we must realize that we need to do the Israel’s PR Damage Control For if not, why are we giving same thing! Department made available on away land? Israel itself is This past week was Parshas YouTube a number of videos constantly escalating this argument Shlach, the parsha about those showing “what really happened” by pandering after America to sit Jews who didn’t want to go into on the flotilla. down and negotiate with the terror Eretz Yisroel and ended up dying The sad part is that Israel’s government Israel has created and in the Midbar. The Rebbe has said government brought this calamity given legitimacy to. Simply sitting many times that WE are the upon itself by pandering after down for talks about “peace” gives reincarnations of the Dor American money in exchange for terror and its means a legitimacy it HaMidbar (the generation of the talks about giving away Jewish never had before in the history of desert that never went into the land. Now Israel is scrambling to the world. Land). If so, this underscores our make a PR victory out of their own Since the Arabs have generation’s particular challenge to bumbling excuse for diplomacy. now “proven” that they are the have mesiras nefesh to hold onto The Arabs’ argument that the trodden upon helpless victims and and appreciate the preciousness of Jews are aggressors was predicted we Jews are the aggressor, they are Eretz Yisroel. in the first Rashi in the Torah on now rightfully entitled to run the We need to have the mesiras “B’Reishis Bara.” Rashi writes unjust blockades to aid their nefesh that the Alter Rebbe there in the name of Rabbi beleaguered brethren. And Israel (I described as, “BeOd Nafsho,” that Yitzchok: “The day will come don’t say Eretz Yisroel here) is we are doing this like our lives when the non-Jews will accuse the stupidly feeding it. Last Tuesday, depend on it. And indeed it does. Jews of stealing the land from its Netanyahu was supposed to come For in truth, if this giveaway of inhabitants.” The giving away of back to Washington for more Jerusalem goes through, we stand land in response to their “feeding” of this idea. Thank G-d, on the brink of (Chas V’Shalom) complaints that we are aggressors he is delayed for a short time. …. So far, our campaigning has (echoing Rabbi Yitzchok’s nevua Only more terror and hatred of been too light. Even the advent of that they would protest: “Listim Jews around the world will result. the 15th year since Gimmel Atem”) acts as a “proof” that the This is exactly what the Rebbe Tammuz hasn’t shaken us up Arab argument is correct! warned us about! The blame for enough to take appropriate action.

26 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 27

We have become spoiled by all the good gashmius of this generation. Even the advent of the 15th year since We are not the generation of the Gimmel Tammuz hasn’t shaken us up Holocaust. We did not experience their suffering and as such, we do enough to take appropriate action. We not truly appreciate the depths of where Israel’s government is have become spoiled by all the good taking its citizenry. They are leaving the country utterly gashmius of this generation. We didn’t indefensible, at the mercy of over 30,000 missiles from the north and experience the suffering of the a vicious terror state in its gut that Holocaust and as such, we do not truly in minutes can cut off the north of the country from the south. appreciate the depths of where Israel’s Right now the message needs to be that “With a Peace Like This government is taking its citizenry. They We Don’t Need Enemies!” The Torah has a more “Peaceful are leaving the country utterly alternative to Peace.” In the very Rashi where Rabbi Yitzchok indefensible, at the mercy of over 30,000 prophetically predicted the nations missiles from the north and a vicious of the world decrying us as robbers, the solution is spelled out terror state in its gut... for us. Israel must admit that G-d gave the land to whom He chose. Before the sickness was created the putting scuds into. answer to this person is: “When cure, and many hundreds of years This needs a loud voice yelling someone is about to get run over ago Rashi spelled out for us the at the right person. NOT Obama. by a car, does one ask the Rav: answer to what we have to do. It needs to be yelled non-stop by “Should I have mesiras nefesh or Israel’s government has its all Lubavitchers everywhere. On not?” A Lubavitcher needs to ask finger on the button, not Obama. Facebook and blogs, in faxes and such a thing…? In a minute they could turn telephone calls to all the Israeli The talks must be stopped and around and use the Torah to regain embassies and to the Knesset, to Lands given away must be taken legitimacy for Israel’s claim to the anyone and everywhere – on back. This is “True Peace.” land. In a short war, they could re- trains, mivtzaim, billboards, and in This is the Rebbe’s non-stop annex the terror state areas they Chabad Houses, on Shabbos and message and it is our message as have given away and reclaim the during the week. well or we are not Chabadniks Golan Heights which Syria is now And if someone says: “Chabad worthy of the name. has no place doing this”, so our Make a “Mivtzah Kashrus” in your own computer! Introducing JNET-The world wide web without the world wide worryTM While The Internet can be a helpful tool for business, experts that will solve your problems fast. education and personal use it can also be a potentially Most important, you can now get the JNET Advantage for dangerous one. only a bit more than non-filtered on line providers. That's why J Net was created. If you're ready for the world wide web without the world wide Using exclusive multi-tiered intelligent filtration, the J Net worry, you're ready for JNet. portal is probably the most effective consumer resource for DIAL UP DSL Unlimited Access 24 Tech Support eliminating material not conducive to our needs. 4 Profiles per Account Web Mail More than virtually foolproof, J .NET is also easy - both to Call us toll free at 1-866-866-JNET (5638) install and use. Plus its available in both dialup and high (mention code “770” for special ANASH Rate) speed DSL and backed by highly trained customer service

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 27 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 28

insight

afraid that the Besuras HaGeula of Moshe would not materialize. The question is why? What FALTERING suddenly shook their faith that had been mostly firm for decades? Chazal say that this followed the deaths of Miriam and Aharon which took place at the end of the FAITH AND forty years. With the passing of Miriam, the well that supplied them with water, slaking their thirst and healing their ailments, went away. Although it ended up FIRM returning and continued to provide them with water in Moshe’s merit, their sense of security was shaken. What would happen if the well disappeared again? There were no FORGIVENESS other sources of water for the millions of people. With the death of Aharon the clouds that protected them By Rabbi Yosef Karasik departed and they were exposed to District Rav Bat Chefer – Emek Chefer the elements as well as the snakes and scorpions. Traveling would be much more difficult since the Sin, snakes, and sorry – a lesson in clouds would no longer smooth the path for them. This laid the forgiveness. How do we learn about the groundwork to shake their faith and hope in the Geula. importance of forgiving from the story of The fact is, there was some lack the sin and the snakes? What are the of faith all along. Perhaps if they had focused on all the events of two types of forgiveness? Why did the previous forty years, there would have been no room for Hashem have them gaze upon the snake doubts. It had been forty years in which their leader had done rather than forgive them immediately? nonstop miracles. Whatever he said took place. But in the final * A fascinating look at the parsha from moments of galus Hashem tested the perspective of Chazal, Kabbala and them with a final test, a difficult test in order to see how strong Chabad Chassidus. their emuna was. A Jew needs to continue to believe and trust in Hashem and the Besuras HaGeula In the final days and weeks of the most part were filled with hope and cannot get despondent – the galus in the “desert of the and faith as they wandered Geula is imminent! nations,” in the fortieth year of through the desert, here, at the If the Jewish people had their sojourn in the desert, when end of the road, they lost their contemplated Hashem’s promise, the Jewish people were about to faith and spoke harshly (BaMidbar there would have been nothing that enter the land, doubts and fears 28:5), “And the nation spoke could have shaken their confidence about Hashem’s promise to Moshe against G-d and Moshe, why did in the fact that they were entering Rabbeinu, the Nasi HaDor, you take us up out of Egypt to die Eretz Yisroel. surfaced. After 38 years which for in the desert etc.” The nation was

28 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 29

TO FORGIVE conditions or limitations while punished because of him and so he The people rebelled and were Moshe did not daven for the prayed to Hashem to heal them. punished with poisonous snakes. immediate removal of the But he did not actually forgive this They immediately repented and punishment of the snakes but degenerate man. asked Moshe and Hashem for made it conditional, “all those who In the story with Moshe, the forgiveness. Moshe saw that their are bitten will see it [the copper people sincerely asked for t’shuva was sincere and he prayed snake] and live.” In other words, forgiveness and he wholeheartedly to Hashem to forgive them. Chazal the sinner first had to acknowledge forgave them. Moshe truly loved say, “From here [we learn] that Hashem, “when Yisroel gazed up his nation, so he did not merely when someone asks forgiveness above and subjugated their hearts ask Hashem not to punish them. not to be cruel but to forgive.” to their Father in Heaven, they This is why it is from here that were healed and if not, they were In Likkutei Sichos the Rebbe Chazal learn that if someone asks not healed.” asks why Chazal learn this point you for forgiveness, to forgive from this story. Is this the only So why do we learn about them. Because between Jews, when source for forgiveness? There are forgiveness from the story of one asks the other for forgiveness other Torah sources in which we Moshe and not that of Avrohom? there ought to be complete pardon see forgiveness for sinners that are and love restored. even more significant than this COMPLETE Moshe did not ask Hashem to instance, so why we do we learn FORGIVENESS heal the sinners from the snakes; about forgiveness from here? rather, he made a copper snake There are two kinds of and put it high on a pole in order When Avrohom went down to forgiveness for someone who did Grar and Avimelech took his wife to teach them to subjugate their something wrong. There is hearts to Hashem. This higher Sarah, the sin Avimelech absolute forgiveness in which you perpetrated was far greater than form of forgiveness is evident here completely forget the sin and you because the love motivated Moshe the sin of the Jewish people. He become friends and love him as took a woman, our matriarch, to teach them t’shuva to provide much as before, and there is the Jews with the ability to heal against her will and only miracles forgiveness which comes merely saved her from his clutches, and themselves from this and any because the person can’t stand to future affliction. yet Avrohom forgave him and have someone punished because of prayed that the plagues on him. He only forgives so that the Avimelech and his household go other person won’t suffer but his HASHEM’S away. On the other hand, by the sentiments for the other person are FORGIVENESS incident with the spies, the Jewish no longer as positive. Hashem loves Yisroel. “I love people only spoke lashon ha’ra This is like two colleagues who you, says Hashem.” When the about Moshe but didn’t perform work together and one insults the Geula comes we will see how any action against him. other. He feels bad about it and Hashem loves His people, how He Avimelech did not even asks forgiveness. There can be two truly forgives us for all our sins apologize to Avrohom, he types of forgiveness here: 1) that we committed in galus under rationalized and claimed complete forgiveness in which they the thumb of the Evil Inclination. innocence. He even demanded that become as close as they were The true and complete Geula Avrohom heal him even though he before, 2) incomplete forgiveness entails our raising our eyes to did not ask for forgiveness (which where their friendship is not Heaven “and subjugating our is why Chazal say that from here restored but the offended one hearts to our Father in heaven.” we learn that someone who harms knows that if he tells the boss what Our Moshe Rabbeinu has devised his fellow even if he did not ask for happened, he will fire the other various healing methods, the forgiveness, he should be fellow. Rather than having the man mivtzaim and other horaos, so that forgiven). The Jewish people, on and his family become we raise our eyes, hearts and the other hand, asked Moshe to impoverished over the incident, he thoughts to our Father in Heaven forgive them. prefers to look away. so we can realize the imminent Furthermore, Avrohom prayed Avrohom did not love Geula. that Hashem remove all the Avimelech and his household but Source: Likkutei Sichos vol. 28 p. 138 plagues immediately and with no he did not want them to be

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 29 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 30

moshiach & science

and forces are real. On the other hand, if one begins with the premise of an A LAWYERS open-minded perspective, i.e., that maybe there is such a thing as a soul and maybe not, then the balance of evidence will indeed prove relevant, and in the view of SOUL many, compelling. To quote Ilya Prigogine, the recipient of not one but two Nobel Prizes in chemistry, “The statistical By Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD probability that organic structures, and the most precisely harmonized reactions that typify living “Chassidus reveals the essence of had the privilege on numerous organisms would be generated by the soul.” occasions to testify in courtroom accident, is zero.” (Physics Today, —The Rebbe, HaYom Yom, settings on matters of Vol. 25, p.23-28) 13 Kislev. environmental impact, for example. The whole debate brings to In every case far more time was mind the old Chassidic tale. Two Hi Dr. Gotfryd, spent verifying my expertise and friends walking home from I subscribe to your newsletter authority to address the questions synagogue late one night pass by and enjoy it immensely. at hand than probing the reasons the home of a third, who they Recently, I got into a discussion for my professional opinion. happen to notice through the with a lawyer about the soul. (My To say that there is no soul is window pacing back and forth with bad). He says there is no such thing equivalent to maintaining that what a lit candle, calling out his own because there is no scientific we really come down to at the end name, “Berel, Berel, where are evidence that there is one. I said of the day is the chemical soup of you, Berel?” that there is and asked if I which our bodies are comprised. Concerned that the poor fellow forwarded it to him and he was But what does chemistry itself have had lost his marbles, they barged satisfied, would he stop eating non- to say about this? in and demanded, “Hello! What’s kosher food. He said yes. On p.7 of Vol.64, No.4 of the matter with you? You are Now, I’m searching the internet SCIENCE which is the prestigious Berel! What kind of nonsense is and I can’t seem to find anything journal of the American this?” that is “scientific enough” to send Association for the Advancement Without missing a beat, Berel to him. Could you possible point of Science, the recipient of the answered, “My dear friends, if I me in the right direction? American Chemical Society Medal, were to die right now, you would Thanks, Prof. William Blum says a few cry out, “Berel is gone!” But let me Chaya G_____ things of spiritual relevance, one of ask you, what would be gone Brooklyn, NY which is that science has never exactly? Every organ, muscle, disproved the existence of the soul. every drop of blood, every cell will Dear Chaya, It’s something obvious, but be in place. And yet you would As a lawyer, your colleague something to remember maintain without any doubt understands the concept of expert nonetheless. Absence of evidence is whatsoever, that Berel is gone. testimony. In court, issues not evidence of absence. That ‘Berel’ that you’ll be looking requiring authoritative opinion are Furthermore, what evidence in for then, I’m looking for now.” addressed exclusively by principle could be brought to bear That je ne sais quois, the ver acknowledged experts in the field. on the question of whether or not vaist vos, the “I don’t know what it S/he may be personally a soul exists? For if one assumes is but it is” factor plays an skeptical about the existence of the that only material phenomena and immense role in neurology and soul, but the authority to confirm causes exist, then there is no medicine these days. The placebo or deny its existence in the name conceivable observation one could effect for example is very real. It is of science lies exclusively with the make that would compel a physical healing caused by the scientist, not the lawyer. I have conclusion that spiritual entities belief that a fake treatment is real

30 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 31

medicine. What part of my see the teacher’s intelligence?” home.” anatomy is doing the believing? I know from experience that “You drunk skunk, what are What is a thought for that matter? making a commitment to eating you so cheery about? You never And what is consciousness? If we only kosher food is a very big step. take care of us, you just drink and assume that there is a non-physical If your lawyer contact finds it gamble the whole day away. “I” that experiences, believes and difficult because of the bother and You...” decides, many physical phenomena the expense, maybe this story will “Hold it! That’s not fair. I are explained but if not, we are left encourage him/her. actually did business today.” with unsupportable assumptions A poor fellow came to the Apter “Business! What do you know about matter that have no basis in Rav in a quandary. He needed to about business? You mean you observation. marry off his daughter and he was made some kopeks gambling?” There are other issues as well. pretty much destitute. The Rav “Kopeks? I made a whole How does one explain the shared gave him a ruble and told him to ruble, and it wasn’t from experiences of physically isolated invest in the first opportunity that gambling,” he said tossing the coin twins, the US military’s research presents itself. The man set out on the table with flourish. “I sold into remote viewing, or the linked and eventually came to an inn this new guy in town my portion in brain waves of remotely separated where he saw some co-religionists the World to Come. We even made meditating monks? How does one gambling. One of them asked what a contract.” explain the 10% better recovery he was doing there and he said he “What?! You sold your Olam rate of patients who were prayed was looking for a business to HaBa? What am I supposed to do for in a controlled, randomized, invest in. after 120 years? Go up there by triple-blind study of 990 heart “Business? Look at you. You myself? All my friends will be there patients reported in the Archives of don’t look like a businessman. with their husbands and I’ll have to Internal Medicine of the American What kind of business can a guy spend forever alone? Not a chance Medical Association? like you be looking for?” the buster. You go right back there I am not a very spiritual person. gambler sneered. and get that paper back from him, If I didn’t have reliable information “Whatever comes up,” the whatever it costs, you hear? You’re to the contrary, I would not know Chassid answered. not setting foot in this house that I had a soul. I’d be like every “Oh yeah? How much do you without that paper, and that’s other skeptic in the absence of have to invest?” the gambler final!” expert testimony. My natural taunted. He set out in a hurry, searched reaction is to say that if I don’t see “One ruble.” here and there and finally found it, hear it, feel it, taste it or smell At this the whole cadre of card his customer at the local inn. it, it doesn’t exist. That would players fairly collapsed in “Look, there’s been some mistake. suffice for me except for two paroxysms of laughter. “One ruble! I need to get that paper back. It apparently independent sources of Business! The guy’s going to do was just a joke but now it’s over, information that seem to agree on business with one ruble! That’s okay? Look here’s your ruble the matter: science and faith. hysterical.” back. Just give me the paper.” Science cannot point to the Finally one of them pipes up, “Sorry sir, but it’s going to cost soul and say voila! any more than “Hey. I’ve got an idea for you. A you.” it can point to love or loyalty or superb investment really. How “Fine, I understand. Here’s five joy. These qualities are abstract, about I sell you my portion in the rubles for your trouble.” yet we know that they exist, and world to come... for just one ruble. “Nothing doing. I need three even can study them scientifically. You can’t go wrong.” hundred.” Intelligence for example is “Okay,” the Chassid replied “Three hundred! Are you measurable but is it physical? It is remembering the Rav’s directive to kidding?! That’s blackmail! Where reminiscent of the little boy in take the first opportunity that am I going to find three hundred Communist Russia who was being comes up. “But I want the deal in rubles?” indoctrinated into the official faith writing.” “I don’t know but I’m not of the motherland: Atheism. The The two parties documented giving you back this paper for teacher said, “Do you see G-d? Of the transaction, the paper and the anything less. I’ve got a kid to course not. So obviously He does coin changed hands, and the marry off.” not exist. Right, class?” to which gambler headed home with his The gambler scrambled from the child answered, “And can we newfound earnings. “Honey, I’m friend to friend, begging on

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 31 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 32

grounds of mercy, explaining how portion it wasn’t even worth the PS, for a more formal and his wife won’t have him back ruble you paid for it. But by the detailed information about all this, without it. Finally he scraped it time you sold it back to him, he see online at chabad.org and together and the deal was revoked. had done t’shuva (repented) and search “Neurology, Medicine and The Chassid returned to the by now it’s worth far more than the Soul.” Apter Rav who asked him how he the 300 rubles he paid you.” Dr. Aryeh (Arnie) Gotfryd, PhD is a had fared. After telling him the Chaya, with this email, I think chassid, environmental scientist, author whole story the Chassid confided you fulfilled your part of the and educator living near Toronto, how badly he felt for demanding ‘contract’ with the lawyer. For the Canada. To contact, read more or to such a high price to sell the man sake of his soul, if he keeps his book him for a talk, visit back his portion in the World to side, he will definitely be getting www.arniegotfryd.com or call 416-858- Come. the better deal. 9868. To this the Rav replied, “Don’t Sincerely, worry. When you bought his AG

 Express service texprx ahru,   Fully Computerized nnujac vnars 

331 Kingston Ave. (2nd Flr) Brooklyn NY 11213

Get your tickets within minutes! (718) 493-1111 ej t, vfryhx akl c,ul nxpr seu,! nxpr c,ul akl vfryhx t, ej Fax: (718) 493-4444

EEsstthheerr’’ss PPaarrttyy GGrriillll 463 Albany Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4343 CATERING ON OR OFF THE PREMISES CORPORATE ACCOUNTS WELCOME. SHLUCHIM; SPECIAL RATES FOR SAVE MONEY SHABBATONS & PARTIES COME SEE TODAY!! OUR BRAND NEW SUSHI BAR Get a FREE analysis on your credit Card Processing! OPEN FOR IN HOUSE DINING Call Today 888-468-3256 x 2770 TAKE OUT & CATERING Better rates guaranteed – If we can’t save you money we will pay you $100 For a limited time – get your CC Terminal or software set up absolutely FREE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE It’s a matter of ONE minute and ONE fax. BEIS DIN CROWN HEIGHTS

Contact Mendy Chanin at 888-468-3256 ext: 2770, [email protected] Dalmao, LLC 5th Floor 245 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

New Businesses Welcome | Exclusive Referral Program | Organization Charities Partnership FREE DELIVERY TO YOUR HOME OR OFFICE

32 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 33

story A SEIFER TORAH WITH A SIGNATURE

By Zeev Yisroel Crombie Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry

On the 28th of Iyar, I had the had made a tremendous effort to they weren’t going to let him write privilege of participating in the come to the event, accompanied by a letter, and he was terribly ceremony dedicating a new Torah his servant, inspired by his vague insulted. “I, Roman from Cholon, scroll to the Chabad House of Sri memories of his youth as a Jewish won’t be allowed to write a letter 3 Lanka, under the administration of child. in the seifer Torah?” he asked in our son, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Between these extremes were a anguish. It was quite evident that and his family. I have participated most fascinating and varied the matter touched him to the in numerous Seifer Torah collection of Jews, whom Divine depths of his soul. Roman wanted dedications, and most of them Providence had brought together to participate in the writing of the were quite exciting, but this in order to rejoice on this very Torah scroll just like any other ceremony was most unique. emotional evening. Jew. One of the things that touched It was Erev Shabbos Parshas me the most was the amazing ROMAN FROM CHOLON BaMidbar, and we remembered assortment of different people who that G-d gave the Torah to the One of the Jews who danced EEsstthheerr’’ss PPaarrttyy GGrriillll came to celebrate the event. Jewish People only because of, with everyone that night was Usually, the participants in such an “And Israel encamped there against “Roman – from Cholon.” When event share at least some the mountain – as one man with you are in such a place, you don’t similarity, so that it is apparent to one heart.” We also remembered ask anyone why he is there and the bystander that they have some that the wholeness of the Jewish what he’s been doing. It can be connection to each other and have People, similar to the wholeness of safely assumed that some of them cause to rejoice together. At the a Torah scroll, is when not even aren’t all that interested in event in Sri Lanka, however, Jews one is missing. revealing what had brought them who were seemingly very far from The scribe seated Roman near to this distant country and what one another united as one in joyful the seifer Torah, presented him type of business they engage in. celebration. ceremoniously with the feather We are only interested in whether It was impossible not to feel quill, and showed him the letter the guests are Jewish. that Jewish spark flashing within that he was to write. Roman Even under normal each and every one of us, carefully checked the parchment, circumstances, Roman properly connecting Jews across the most looked for an appropriate place, fulfills the adage of “Great is extreme diversities. The and then – with great flourish – he drinking together that draws the participants ranged from the signed his signature! hearts closer!” That night, he Rebbe’s shluchim, whose entire Everyone became quite stringently observed this rite, lives are devoted to the spreading alarmed, and only Roman, who above and beyond the call of duty. of Judaism, to our friend Moshe, was fulfilling the edict of, “It is a As a result, the scribe was who had spent the last several great mitzvah always to be joyous,” concerned that he might not be fit decades as the head of a Buddhist paid no attention at all to what he to write a letter in the Torah scroll. monastery somewhere in the had done. The scribe was forced to When the writing had been deepest jungles of Sri Lanka. He completed, Roman realized that [Continued on page 37]

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 33 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 34

moshiach & geula

Rebbe MH”M and I had occasion to meet with fellow shluchim, menahalim and friends. I MIVTZA attended a family simcha and as we were sitting at the Sheva Brachos I heard my brother’s mechutan speak about his shlichus. I’d like to share some MOSHIACH stories with you. One of the stories is from R’ Mottel (Mordechai) Kanelsky, shliach in New Jersey who works with Russian immigrants. His FOR MOSDOS organization Bris Avrohom is famous and thousands of Yidden have entered the covenant thanks to him. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Wilschansky One day, one of his Shliach, rosh yeshivos Chabad in Tzfas and Chaifa, mekuravim and main supporters member of the hanhala of Aguch said to him: “I hear you talk a lot about Moshiach and about the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach. I Some people think their responsibility is also hear that some say otherwise. I looked into it and it limited to their mosdos while the inyan seems to me that you are going overboard and your approach is of being mekabel p’nei Moshiach is for not appropriate after Gimmel the shliach to do. The truth is that since Tammuz.” Mottel realized that the man running the mosdos is a shlichus of the was expecting him to accept what he said and had no interest in Rebbe, therefore the Rebbe’s horaa at listening to anything else. So he replied: “That is our view, our the Kinus HaShluchim, 5752, that belief, our Rebbe, and that is what he taught us. This is our job shlichus must be permeated with the now and everything we do needs point of “kabbalas p’nei Moshiach,” to be permeated with this point: how to be mekabel Moshiach!” applies to those who run the mosdos too. The man responded: “If that’s the case, I’m no longer involved.” * From a speech said at the first session Well, some Lubavitchers claim that inyanei Moshiach hurts you of the convention of menahalim of in your pocket … Two years later this mekurav Chabad mosdos organized by Aguch in called Mottel. He apologized for Eretz Yisroel. having closed the door on him like that, and asked whether This gathering is taking place highly significant. In the brief Mottel could stop by for a visit. in Yemos HaMoshiach, at a time period of time at our disposal we When Mottel said sure he would of “hinei zeh Moshiach ba,” at will not be able to delve into the come, the man asked him whether the hechste tzait of Geula, on the topic in depth but we can he could bring along an English very threshold of Geula. A certainly share some inspiration. Tanya. Of course Mottel said he gathering like this at this time is I have just returned from the would and he went to the mekurav’s house. The man lived

34 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 35

on the tenth floor of a huge building on a busy street near the George Washington Bridge. The mekurav told him that he had been experiencing problems lately, mainly in business. He went to the Ohel and left a note in which he wrote about the situation and apologized for dropping the shliach in Elizabeth. He asked for guidance in how to proceed. Then he went home with a good feeling and sat down next to his young son who was playing with Lego. While playing, the child took a Lego piece and threw it out the window and then immediately began to cry, “My Lego, I need it! Let’s go downstairs and find it.” On such a busy street he had no hopes of finding the little community was up for sale. They the table and said, “Let us sign piece but at the child’s insistence, met with the president of the on the deal and then you will fill they went downstairs. To his k’hilla to buy the building. He in the check.” surprise, they found the Lego asked them for a large sum and Just two hours later, some piece and strangely enough, they were unsure if it was worth distinguished rabbanim from the under it was the title page of the price he was asking. area visited the president and Tanya in English with the Rebbe’s At this same time there was asked to buy the building. When introduction. He saw this as a yechidus with the Rebbe for he told them that he had already clear answer from the Rebbe that members of Machne Israel. After signed an agreement with Chabad he should learn Tanya and knew the sicha, the wealthy donors met one of the rabbis asked, “How that this was the guidance he’d with the Rebbe and when it was much did he agree to pay? I will asked for. their turn they told the Rebbe pay more!” The president smiled That same morning a business about the building for sale and and said, “I have a blank check deal he had arranged worked out that they were hesitating over the so whatever you say he can beat to the tune of several million price. The Rebbe told them, “Do it.” Hearing this, the rabbi said, dollars and he earned a tidy sum. it today, do not delay.” After the “If you have a check from Danny Following these clear signs he yechidus there was a full program then the matter is closed. The decided he had to return. He with a meal but after such an building belongs to Chabad.” asked to be listed as a member explicit instruction from the The lesson we need to learn again, requested that R’ Kanelsky Rebbe, Danny decided he from this story is clear. When the bring him a Tanya and he began couldn’t wait around. He told R’ Rebbe says to do something to prepare for the coming of the Kanelsky, “Stay here for the today, we cannot delay for a Rebbe MH”M! program and I’m going to take moment. I think this story says a lot. care of it.” But before I focus on the details I After a 45 minute drive from will tell you another story that I DIRECTORS OF Crown Heights, he called the MOSDOS ARE heard from R’ Danny Kahana, president of the k’hilla to arrange one of R’ Kanelsky’s main an urgent meeting. When they SHLUCHIM OF supporters. After several years of met, he told the president that he THE REBBE! outreach it was time to expand. had decided to purchase the At the Kinus HaShluchim, They found out that the Shomrei building. He put a blank check on 5752, the Rebbe said that the Torah shul of an irreligious

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 35 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 36

house, the one who runs Shlichus is about conveying the Rebbe’s mivtzaim. The truth is that the message. Since, in mosdos Chabad, you Rebbe’s horaa at the Kinus HaShluchim 5752 that shlichus convey the Rebbe’s message, and in the needs to be permeated with the point of kabbalas p’nei Moshiach chinuch of children you teach them applies to the running of mosdos too. about hiskashrus and listening to the How can we combine the work of running a mosad, which is Rebbe’s horaos, this is definitely primarily technical in nature, with shlichus. kabbalas p’nei Moshiach? First, we need to really feel that all the mosdos we build, the only remaining avoda in shlichus avoda of shlichus and dedicate entire staff, the students, the is kabbalas p’nei Moshiach ourselves to the Rebbe’s horaos in buildings, the furniture and even Tzidkeinu. This horaa pertains the inyan of shlichus, the greater the supporters – are all to prepare especially to us, directors of and more miraculous our success the world to greet Moshiach! Chabad mosdos, since every will be, as we see already now. When you feel this way and you menahel of a mosad is a shliach know we are in a time of “hinei of the Rebbe in running the KABBOLAS PNEI zeh Moshiach ba,” the Besuras mosad. Our job is to carry out MOSHIACH – IN HaGeula becomes part of our the Rebbe’s shlichus within our reality. Whomever we meet, even work in the mosdos. MOSDOS TOO government officials or wealthy Some say that the title of One of the shluchim who was people for fundraising purposes, shliach is only for someone who sent by the Rebbe to Tzfas to we convey the message of Geula. is far away from home while start mosdos, Rabbi Leib Kaplan This itself brings us success. someone who runs a mosad in his a”h, told me that the Rebbe once Even if sometimes it seems own town is not a shliach. There told him in yechidus (not in these that chayus in inyanei Moshiach is no question that there’s exact words): Your shlichus is not interferes with our work and that something special about those to be involved in outreach we sometimes lose supporters of shluchim who went out to distant activities which people call our mosdos because of it, as places to spread the Rebbe’s mivtzaim. Your shlichus is to believing Jews we know it is not teachings but shlichus is about build the community, the mosdos. possible for us to lose out as a conveying the Rebbe’s message. Some people understood this result of listening to the Rebbe. Since, in mosdos Chabad, you to mean that he did not need to For those who still have a hard convey the Rebbe’s message, and be involved in mivtzaim but the time believing this, let’s go back in the chinuch of children you truth is that this is not so. Just as to the story I started with. This teach them about hiskashrus and the director of a mosad would story teaches us that the Rebbe listening to the Rebbe’s horaos, never consider that he is exempt takes care of all the funds that this is definitely shlichus. from t’fillin and davening, so too seemed to have been lost because It’s important to emphasize it is obvious that the Rebbe’s of conveying his message of this, especially now, when on the mivtzaim are for all of us to do, Geula. one hand we are getting ever even a director of a mosad. As for the second story I told, closer to Yemos HaMoshiach What the Rebbe told R’ Kaplan when we focus on the knowledge while on the other hand the pertained only to the running of and belief that we are in the darkness is frightening and we things, that he needed to run the hechtste tzait for the coming of don’t see the Rebbe. This is the mosdos and not run mivtzaim. Moshiach and aht aht the Rebbe time to strengthen our hiskashrus Some people think their will be revealed and see our to the Rebbe and to stress that we appointment is limited to matters accomplishments, this motivates are all the Rebbe’s shluchim, with concerning the mosdos and that us to work on expanding our all the privileges and obligations the inyan of “kabbalas p’nei mosdos. The Rebbe’s words, “Do this holy work entails. Moshiach” is the inyan of the it today, do not delay” should The more we strengthen the shliach, the director of a Chabad ring in our ears. The sooner we

36 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:36 AM Page 37

do our part, the sooner we will is referenced in the two Hebrew menahalim is to bridge the see the Rebbe. When the Rebbe words in Torah for stick: a matteh differences and to foster an spoke about the avoda of shlichus and a shevet. A shevet is a flexible atmosphere of harmony and being permeated with inyanei branch and a matteh is a solid cooperation. Moshiach he said it is the stick. A Jew’s avoda calls for both. This pleasant atmosphere is gateway through which all aspects For example, when it comes to achieved when the menahel is of shlichus pass. This refers not vows, a Jew has the ability to firm yet accommodating. only to spiritual avoda but also to make a vow and obligate himself, Especially when we know and feel material matters. When you go and he also has the ability to that the Rebbe is watching us, through that gate, you see absolve a vow when necessary. and will be coming at any tremendous success. We see that Vows have an additional moment, it is vital that there be a when those who direct mosdos significance. They enable pleasant atmosphere among the are permeated with kabbalas p’nei ruchnius to penetrate gashmius staff members. They all ought to Moshiach, they are successful in and represent the importance of feel that they are working towards all areas – from fundraising to each word we utter. the same goal, kabbalas p’nei administration and even, in the These two points are Moshiach. In an atmosphere like case of a school, academic important for menahalim to this, each one is willing to hear achievement. As the Rebbe remember in their work. We need the other’s view and when constantly emphasized in his to know the importance of a word something good happens we letters, ruchnius and gashmius go and to remember that even when include the other employees in together and when you add in occupied with gashmius matters, our joy. That is the best recipe ruchnius you get more in these are intrinsically connected for success. gashmius. with ruchnius matters, and each We must repeat to ourselves influences the other. that since Moshiach is coming A BALANCE At the same time we need to and every deed we do hastens the OF FIRMNESS remember to combine flexibility Rebbe’s hisgalus, we must act with firmness. with alacrity. This is also what we AND FLEXIBILITY This should be our guiding ask of the Rebbe, that he hasten The Rebbe has told us that our principle in our work with our the hisgalus and come right now! avodas Hashem needs to combine staff. There will always be Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu flexibility and firmness. A stick differences of opinion among V’Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach can have both characteristics, as employees and the job of L’olam Va’ed!

[Continued from page 33] Once, the residents of a city ceremony, and they give other exert much toil and effort until he found a Torah scroll without any Jews the privilege of writing the managed to scrape Roman’s signs of identification. They final letters. However, not all the flowing signature off the scroll’s struggled to determine whether it Jews write the same way.” parchment. was kosher or if it had been The rav concluded: “If you see I couldn’t help but mentally written by a heretic, thereby that the last letters of the seifer compare Roman’s signature at the making it necessary to burn it. Torah are full and complete, you bottom of the seifer Torah to the They asked the rav, and the know that a heretic wrote them. famous “Cock-a-doodle-doo” by rav replied: “The Jewish custom But if you see that they’re not the the child in the story about the is – the dedication of a seifer nicest looking letters in the holy Baal Shem Tov. Torah.” The local residents were world, then you know for certain baffled, until the rav explained: that it’s a kosher Torah scroll!” “When a heretic writes a Torah Thus, it was specifically A TRUE SENSE scroll, he beautifully completes Roman’s flowery signature on the OF PERFECTION all the letters himself and places seifer Torah that represented its At the festive meal that took it in the Aron Kodesh. true perfection, and this was the place after the Hakafos, the In contrast, the Jewish People seal of truth at the Torah scroll following story was told: properly make a completion dedication in Sri Lanka!

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 37 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 38

memoirs AMONG THE REFUGEES

Memoirs of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Chanin

A SURPRISE contract, the community leaders even one Talmud Torah or Jewish APPOINTMENT desired to celebrate the event with a school. I requested that the s’farim bottle of vodka and some that I had taken with me out of In his letter, Rabbi Schneerson refreshments. They were about to Russia be sent to Paris. The s’farim describes the difficulties he collect a few coins from each one of were held at the train station encountered during the early period the participants when the new Rabbi because I did not have the funds to in Paris: said that he would sponsor the pay for the shipping and storage. I “Not one Shul agreed to give me vodka. Accustomed to distributing was very pained and afraid that a rabbinic position, despite the fact funds for the poor in Russia, Rabbi perhaps they would be sold. In the that I agreed to work without pay. Schneerson thought that it would end, those s’farim were the only (The miracle was that I had a not be appropriate to collect money treasure that I ever had and still significant sum of money that I had for such a purpose. The participants have. Diamonds weren’t for me.” taken with me from Russia.) Six exchanged surprised looks. Not only months passed and I began to feel a was their Rabbi learned, G-d fearing degree of weakness. Consequently, I THE PHONE CALL and a brilliant speaker, but he also decided to attempt to establish my “To my mazal, I receive a phone gives and does not take. Rabbi own Jewish religious congregation call during this period from the Schneerson writes in his letter: independently of the established secretary of Mr. Markovichi-Kleze. “That bottle of vodka cost me a Shuls. That same day, a group of The secretary stated that Mr. fortune. Over the course of the next orthodox Jews arrived at my hotel Markovichi-Kleze wanted to know if five years, I did not receive a salary. (Hotel Moderne) and honorably he could help in any way. His words Similarly, I funded all of my various presented me with a rabbinical were music to my ears. I suggested communal activities.” contract which stated ‘Grand Rabbin that he come to visit me and he Unfortunately, due to Rabbi de l’Association des Israelites agreed. In the meantime, I contacted Schneerson’s energetic pace of Pratiquants de Paris’ – Chief Rabbi the editor of a newspaper to find out communal activities, he quickly ran of the Association of Orthodox Jews who Mr. Markovichi-Kleze was. I out of funds. of Paris. This was an appointment to was told that he is an apostate Jew “With great mazal, I was able to fill the position which had been from Romania, extremely wealthy - a rent a large comfortable house, recently vacated by the passing of millionaire, in fact - and that it is located at Rue Dieu 10, near Le Rabbi Yoel Herzog, father of the definitely worth making his Republique (a known square). It is Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi acquaintance.” interesting to note that at that time Yitzchok Aizik Halevy Herzog.” “Mr. Markovichi-Kleze’s the large city of Paris did not have After signing the rabbinical secretary paid me a visit and I

38 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 39

described my financial conversation with Dr. situation. He asked me Rosen. He inquired how much money I regarding my financial currently needed. I situation, and I responded by specifying a responded that I hoped moderate sum, adding matters would improve. that I hope my request He replied, ‘Yes I heard was not too large. The that matters did not turn secretary replied that the out that well for you.’ He sum seemed reasonable. I then requested that I visit receive the requested sum him at his office on the that week.” following day. The “Mr. Markovichi- thought of the six Kleze became my good hundred dollars I owed friend and he would visit pained me. However, me quite often. Once he when I arrived at his arrived in shul on Yom office, I was in for a Kippur afternoon for surprise. Dr Rosen Mincha and N’ila.. I presented me with a handed him my siddur check of five thousand and we davened together. dollars! I was extremely We also said the ‘Al moved. At a loss for Chet’- confession words, I was unable to together. I can assure you express my gratitude. that our united ‘Al Chet’ However, when he had a tremendous escorted me to the door, impact.” I turned to him and said, “After Yom Kippur, Letter of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Schneerson ‘Do you have any idea certain Orthodox circles to Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson what you have done for circulated harsh criticism me?’ He responded with against me. How did I have the Dr. Joseph Rosen arrived in Paris. In a smile, ‘I can imagine.’” audacity to allow an apostate Jew Paris, there was a branch of the On a side-note, my father, R’ married to a gentile woman enter American Jewish Joint distribution Chaikel Chanin of blessed memory, the Shul? I did not lose my calm. I committee, otherwise known by its was personally acquainted with Dr. openly responded to my critics in the abbreviated name, the “Joint.” I Rosen. Dr. Rosen helped my father Jewish media. ‘Why do you turn to clearly remembered that I owed the acquire sewing machines for anash me? You should turn to the Joint six hundred dollars from my in Russia so that they could work representatives of the non-Jewish activities on behalf of Russian Jews from home, enabling them to faith using these very words. You while still in Russia. In general, observe Shabbos. Once, during the should request them not to let him when I owe someone money, I do 1920’s, after the Rebbe Rayatz into the church! His place is not not avoid meeting my creditor. departed from Russia, my father and there! However, when he arrives at Consequently, when Dr. Rosen Dr. Rosen sat and conversed. Dr. Shul, obviously I won’t throw him contacted me and requested to meet, Rosen related that despite the fact out, ‘for there is his house’ ; he is I responded that I was ready to go that he is not a religious person, returning home because his natural and visit him. However, he preferred when he met the Rebbe Rayatz for place is here together with us.’” to come to my home, which was the first time, his soul was at peace. In his letter, Rabbi Schneerson obviously an honor for me. The Rebbe’s eyes radiated light and relates additional details of his During that period, our completely captivated him to the fundraising efforts for the organization occupied the entire extent that he would do everything Association of Orthodox Jews of building and it was furnished in a possible on behalf of the Rebbe, even Paris and of his relations with the most beautiful manner. A head of to the point of literal self sacrifice. Joint Distribution Committee in the state would have been proud of that Rabbi Schneerson lived alone in City of Lights. home.” Paris for a year and a half until he “During that period, my friend “I had a brief pleasant was able to bring his family. The

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 39 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 40

The number of French Jews who perished in the death camps is estimated at 76,000 (may G-d avenge their blood.) When compared to other countries, this is a relatively small , ch percentage of the total population. t nf The French Jews, unlike their t uf counterparts in much of the rest of h av Europe, were dispersed throughout the large country, and thus were less vulnerable than their brethren in densely populated communities.

THE REBBE RAYATZ INQUIRES ABOUT HIS House of Rabbi Schneerson SAFETY After R’ Zalman fled Paris, organizations which he headed were the Jewish organizations. This communication between him and the housed in a beautifully furnished committee helped Rabbi Schneerson Rebbe Rayatz ceased. The Rebbe’s home. Rabbi Schneerson himself, open two shelters for refugees interest and concern for R’ Zalman however, continued to fulfill the during this period. is illustrated in a letter that he wrote teaching of Pirkei Avos which In Iyar of 5740/1940, the to Mr. Yitzchok Schneerson. The states, “This is the way [to acquire] Germans conquered France and the letter was written on November 29, the Torah: eat bread with salt, drink country was divided into two zones. 1942, just a few days before the water in small measure, and sleep on The conquered zone, which included German incursion. the ground.” Paris, was under complete German 20 Kislev, 5703 As evidenced by his stationery, rule. The “free” zone was called To the Honorable, esteemed, Rabbi Schneerson succeeded in “Vichy France” (its government was G-d fearing Moreinu HaRav establishing the Association of based in the resort town of Vichy) Yitzchok, Orthodox Jews of Paris. He and was led by Henri Philippe …I urgently request that you established a network of schools, a Petain. The free zone was write. If possible send a telegram. shelter for children, yeshivos, a soup independent, yet simultaneously According to my reckoning, it is kitchen, and a rabbinical school subservient to Nazi rule and possible that my cousin, Mr. called “T’mimim.” He maintained a influence. Immediately following the Schneerson is among the refugees. very close connection with the Rebbe division of France, approximately Also perhaps Rabbi Schneerson M”HM, and he had the merit of one hundred thousand Jews fled about whom Mr. Schneerson writes frequent visits of the Rebbe to his from the conquered zone to the free is also among the refugees. home. zone. Among them were Rabbi May G-d have mercy on His Schneerson, his family, his students nation and on His inheritance ESCAPE TO and his staff of workers. The Jews wherever they may be. May He THE FREE ZONE hoped that conditions would be watch them, protect them and feed better there; however it quickly them… At the outbreak of World War became clear that the Vichy To clarify, the letter is written to Two, before the divisions of the government was a puppet Mr. Yitzchok Schneerson. In the German Army reached the borders government of the Nazis. They letter, the Rebbe inquires regarding of France, a wave of Jewish worked together with the Nazis and two different people with the last immigrants arrived in Paris from they adopted the Nazi anti- name of Schneerson. One of those Belgium. The Jewish community was Semitism. two is Rabbi Schneur Zalman th overwhelmed by the task of On November 10 , 1942, the Schneerson. providing for them. The Joint took Nazis formally invaded the “free” The story of Rabbi Schneerson’s matters into its hands and set up a zone of France, and the arrests and holocaust years and his post- committee to coordinate between all deportations to death camps began. holocaust rescue activities will be

40 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 41

poem HOME SWEET HOME

By Itty Chazan

I seek a new location for my m’at – his “wares” in full demand, To 770 – whose wall is attached majestic regal abode, And I, the Sh’china, reveal myself to the Beis HaMikdash direct. I peek through distant lands to completely, for Chassidus takes the Each mini mikdash home, where share my splendor and my Hod, stand. the geulas ha’sh’china is in effect, My former home lies in shambles, Will usher in nachon yehiye har thus I must search each road, My joy’s complete in beis beis Hashem’- a world perfect and The Sh’china is on a journey - rabbeinu sh’b’bavel – 770, by correct. It’s up to us to unlock her Galus number and occupation, secret code. My homeless status disappeared, Then the Mikdash, from for here’s my ikar revelation, Shamayim, will travel and descend, I seek a new location to crown my Building Shuls and using them, is First stop, to 770, his chosen loyal Sh’china’s presence and glow, the ultimate preparation, mikdash m’at ha’ikari friend. True, all battei k’nesiyos u’battei Then I, the Sh’china, and The journey of the Sh’china in midrashos sh’b’bavel reveal, though; Moshiach can travel to our perfect Galus has thankfully reached the - I know, destination. end, That a unique address is required, For our Nasi ha’dor - The Rebbe for my Divine Presence to flow, What personalized message does Melech HaMoshiach has Nasa mikdash ve’yashav sham – kuntres beis rabbeinu sh’b’bavel accomplished the final mend. thus I relocate; there’s only one place share, Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu I want to go. In this momentous and V’Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach awesome Geula 5770 year, L’olam Va’ed! I journey to my new home, where To daven in 770 and donate with Melech HaMoshiach is in full mamon is the path to prepare This poem is based on kuntres command, For it is specifically in 770 where beis rabeinu sh’b’bavel, where the His p’nimius ha’Torah and the sh’chinah will first appear. Rebbe explains 770 so expansively. Halacha permeate, to instruct the It is an amazing inspiration to entire land. Then wonders - all the Shuls understand, and then actually to Moshiach is building my mikdash throughout the ages join and connect visit, 770.

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 41 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 42

feature

HE WON ME OVER R’ Dickstein was born in Tel Aviv to traditional parents who identified LIKE A SON with Mizrachi. Both were Holocaust survivors. His father returned to his hometown after the war was over, was suspected by the Russians of being a German spy, and was sent to TO THE a labor camp in Siberia for two years. The memory of the Holocaust was very powerful in the Dickstein home, and they raised their children with the ideology of REBBE the resurrection of Eretz Yisroel and Zionism. When he finished elementary school in Tel Aviv, he was sent to the By Nosson Avrohom flagship religious-Zionist high school of the time, the yeshiva high school in Nechalim. Rabbi Moshe Dickstein went from a “I got involved with Chassidus and the Rebbe MH”M in yeshiva. religious-Zionist high school to the One of our madrichim in yeshiva was R’ Zimroni Tzik, who later yeshiva in Kfar Chabad, and became a became a shliach in Bat Yam. This was in 5731/1971. He came into mushpa of R’ Mendel Futerfas a”h. His our classroom as a substitute teacher connection to the Rebbe manifested and began lecturing about fundamental questions in our lives. itself in an amazing dream, remarkable “He raised deep questions about Torah and Judaism and when none yechidusin, and tremendous kiruvim. of us raised a hand to respond, he presented us with answers that It’s impossible to define the one of our weekly get-togethers. amazed us. Previously, when we persona of Rabbi Moshe Dickstein What grabbed me as a young kid had these questions, we preferred of Beer Sheva, a Chassid of many was hearing about the unusual (or were told) to dismiss them, and hats, even if this was a much longer kiruvim he got from the Rebbe in here we were getting wonderful and more detailed article. In his private audiences and responses, answers! At the end of the class he many roles, R’ Dickstein carries out even when he was a boy and was said that whoever was interested in his duties fearlessly and with great attending a modern yeshiva high more questions and answers could love. A typical day finds him school in Nechalim. walk him home. I jumped at the kashering a kitchen, giving a lecture R’ Dickstein is not the type who opportunity, as did some other about the Rebbe’s attitude towards normally gives interviews. He is a students. the State, or taking care of a man of action and is constantly “That shiur was the first taste. deceased person. That’s a partial list; coming up with new ideas. This You can say that he won me over. I he prefers not publicizing his other interview took place in three quickly moved on to the world of activities so as not to give installments and each time I tried Chassidus. Next a Tanya shiur was ammunition to those who fight the extracting more details we found started which attracted a number of implanting of the values of our him on his way to another activity of us. I felt revived by the teachings of tradition in the next generation. kiruv and hafatza. For forty Chassidus. It was a whole new I met R’ Dickstein over a decade consecutive years he has been world to me. The only exposure I’d ago when I learned in high school in devoting day after day and hour had to Chabad Chassidim until then Rechovot. He came to farbreng at after hour to the Rebbe’s mivtzaim. was when I was in second grade and

42 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH " 744_B_Beis Moshiach " 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page¸ 43 ´ÅÇ ¯´³ our class went to ¼Kfar Chabad¸ to¸´ÅÇ ´¸ÈÁ½´ watch the matza baking. “I started making some changes in my life but my parents did not look kindly upon my new interest. When I learned of the importance in growing a beard and I wanted to grow one, I met up with a wall of opposition. When I began wearing a hat to yeshiva, I would take it off and hide it in the fuse box before walking into the house. They gave me a hard time about the way I conducted myself on Pesach, following the standards that I had learned were mandatory according to the Rebbe and Chabad custom. Nor were they happy with my insistence on buying Chabad t’fillin. My mother bemoaned the black yarmulke I began wearing. ‘What’s wrong with a knitted kippa?’ she wanted to know. “My parents and my immediate community weren’t trying to pick on me. They were sincerely concerned about my well being and thought I was heading in the wrong direction. My mother would fret about what the neighbors and relatives would say about my wearing my tzitzis out of my pants. It wasn’t at all easy to change into a Chabad Chassid. It was only later, when they were Rebbe a letter from him. the tzitzis, when I was in school I exposed to the power of the Rebbe “It was my first letter to the could wear them out and when I got and the power of Chabad that they Rebbe. I was so naïve and my home I should respect my parents changed their minds. questions reflected that. I had three and tuck them in. I’ll never forget “Years later, my father told me questions. The first was whether, the joy I felt when I got this why he had been so opposed to the after I had gotten a taste of response and guidance from the ways of Chassidim and Chassidus. Chassidus, I could continue going to Rebbe. From then on, I constantly The reason had to do with his the B’nei Akiva Zionist youth group. received special kiruvim and clear experiences during World War II.” The second question was whether I answers to everything I asked. should wear my tzitzis out despite “Another stage in my getting DIFFICULTIES ON my parents’ constant harassment. involved with Chabad took place on The third question was whether I Yud Shevat when all of us THE WAY TO LUBAVITCH could continue going to the beach mekuravim in the yeshiva in R’ Dickstein is a person who and the movies. I was a young kid Nechalim went to the farbrengen in goes with the truth wherever it leads. in tenth grade and these were the Kfar Chabad. R’ Tzik collected He had a lot to contend with from questions on my mind. money from each of us to participate his family and friends but that didn’t “To my great excitement, R’ in the Torah of Moshiach and he got stop him from pursuing his interest Tzik brought back an answer for me permission from the principal for us in the Rebbe and Chassidus. When from the Rebbe. The Rebbe said to go to Kfar Chabad. he heard that R’ Tzik was flying to that what is forbidden according to “It was my first Chassidishe the Rebbe, he asked him to give the Shulchan Aruch is forbidden. As for farbrengen. From then on, we

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 43 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 44

yeshiva in Nechalim and transfer to I was a naïve kid in tenth grade and the yeshiva in Kfar Chabad. The these were the questions on my mind Rebbe said I should first finish all my finals and then switch. As soon when I wrote the Rebbe the first time… as I completed the matriculation exams, I transferred to yeshivas Could I continue going to the B’nei Tomchei T’mimim in Kfar Chabad. “When I got to the yeshiva in Akiva Zionist youth group… Should I Kfar Chabad I felt a big letdown. I was sure that all Chassidim were wear my tzitzis out despite my parents’ elevated people, considering that constant harassment… Could I they learned Chassidus, but I discovered that Chassidim also have continue going to the beach and the a yetzer ha’ra and they are human … That broke me. I couldn’t wrap movies? my mind around it. “R’ Mendel had two main attended many farbrengens in Kfar down to the waiting people and characteristics: truth and cleverness. Chabad for special days in the asked whether there were any Both of them melded together as he calendar and we always returned on bachurim from the yeshiva in told me, ‘I am just like you. I also a high. Among the talmidim were Nechalim. It was only when we said don’t understand those bachurim Tzvi Weissman a”h, Boaz Segal, yes that the official event began in who behave that way.’ Avshalom Kiel, Yankele Sonnenfeld, which the president of Israel, as well “That year six bachurim came to and many others whose names I as other dignitaries, spoke. Eretz Yisroel from 770 in order to don’t remember. We all owe our “When the speeches were over, be shluchim to the yeshiva. Among involvement with Chabad to R’ the Rebbe wanted to rest in the them was Rabbi Moshe Rosenfeld. Zimroni Tzik. yeshiva in Nechalim. A long convoy R’ Mendel Futerfas made a shidduch left the airport for Nechalim and I between us to learn together and he AMAZING DREAM was the one who offered my bed to also told me he would learn Tanya OF THE REBBE the Rebbe. with me every morning for fifteen “At this point I woke up, covered minutes at precisely 6:45, and that I “Around that time I had a heart- in a cold sweat. I’m not a big should learn the first twelve chapters stopping experience. One night I dreamer and yet this dream was so of Tanya by heart within a short had a dream that the pay phone in real; it seemed like a vision, and I period. This learning arrangement yeshiva rang and one of the boys found myself lying on the floor of of ours lasted a long time and was went to answer it. After he hung it my room. an absolute delight. back up he hurried over to wake me “Some time later I told the “It was R’ Mendel who tipped the and tell me that a Lubavitcher dream to Rabbi Meir Bostomsky, scale in turning me into a Chassid” Chassid just told him that the Rebbe who also worked a lot with the was on his way to Eretz Yisroel and talmidim in the yeshiva in Nechalim, LIKE A FATHER they were asking that talmidim from and he urged me to write it all to the Nechalim be there to welcome the Rebbe. I wasn’t readily convinced One day, R’ Dickstein witnessed Rebbe at the airport. but I finally decided to write. A few an incident in which R’ Mendel “In my dream we were all excited weeks later I received a letter from behaved with outstanding about the Rebbe’s coming. The the Rebbe with a picture of the forgiveness towards someone who door of the plane opened and there Rebbe enclosed that was sent by the greatly insulted him. R’ Moshe was stood the Rebbe, whom I recognized secretaries, apparently by the amazed by this and consequently from the pictures. Next to him was Rebbe’s instructions. I still have that became one of the bachurim who Rabbi Chadakov and on his other picture. Once again I felt that the eagerly learned Chassidus and the side was another person I did not Rebbe was there for me like a father, ways of Chassidus from the know. The Rebbe said something to taking care of all my needs. legendary mashpia. R’ Chadakov and then he went to “When I felt that I was deeply R’ Moshe’s Chassidic identity the other man and whispered immersed in Chabad, I asked the was shaped during the two years something to him. The latter went Rebbe whether I could leave the that he learned in Kfar Chabad, but

44 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 45

his family continued to badger him. “My parents, who had experienced the horrors of the Holocaust, dreamed of a son who wouldn’t be like the old-fashioned Jew of a Chassidic shtetl but would study a profession and go to work. At my wits end, I shared my woes with R’ Mendel, who told me that I belonged in 770. That same day I bought a one way ticket to New York. I happily got into the atmosphere of 770 and got involved in mivtzaim. My first encounter with the Rebbe was when he gave out lekach on Erev Yom Kippur. Naturally, I was very excited. As the line moved and I inched closer to the Rebbe, my legs shook. I was given a piece of cake and I continued quickly outside Rabbi Moshe Dickstein passing by the Rebbe so as not to waste the Rebbe’s time, but I was called back by R’ Meir Harlig. R’ Mendel Futerfas a”h had come to “My heart pounded. I returned serve as the head mashpia, by the and stood before the Rebbe. He asked me in Yiddish about the Rebbe’s instructions, and I told him bachurim in Nechalim. While speaking to me, he gave me some what I was feeling. ‘The Rebbe pieces of cake for them. Then the Rebbe asked me what was appointed you as mashpia of the happening with my parents. I transferred the cake I had gotten for yeshiva,’ I concluded. ‘You have to help the talmidim in Nechalim to my left me and guide me. What’s the solution?’ hand so I could receive cake for my parents with my right. I held out my right hand and received three pieces. received. Rabbi Shmuel Heber, who was the I was somewhat taken aback by the “During Tishrei I sent a letter mashgiach, was visiting. Rebbe’s obvious ruach ha’kodesh, into the Rebbe which described “It was between Yom Kippur and through which he knew that in everything I had been through and Sukkos and though he heard me addition to my parents, my sister why I had come to New York. I out, he said that the horaa was for was living at home. asked the Rebbe what I should do me and not for him and he wasn’t “I was very moved by this great next. One possibility I mentioned obligated to accept me. I returned kiruv. When I arranged the pieces was to learn in Chovevei Torah in to 770 and wrote to the Rebbe about of cake again so as not to mix them Crown Heights. Another possibility what the mashgiach told me. I said I up, the Rebbe said with a smile, was to learn in a yeshiva in a distant had nobody in the United States and ‘Send it as it is.’ That same day I part of the United States and a third I felt that the Rebbe was like a father sent the cake by express mail and I possibility was to return to Eretz to me. After a few minutes, R’ was later told that they received it Yisroel. The Rebbe’s answer was I Chadakov urgently summoned me to before Sukkos. From then on I saw should inquire about Morristown. I his office so he could hear what how the Rebbe regarded me with didn’t know anything about that happened. Rabbi Shmuel Heber special fondness. Whenever I had yeshiva but after I looked into it I came in too and both of them yechidus I was given detailed went to Rabbi Kalmanson’s house, agreed, after a brief discussion, that answers in addition to the letters I where I heard that his son-in-law, I should to be tested like any other

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 45 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 46

born until coming to the Rebbe. At I took the test and had to wait a day for the end of the letter, which was the results. I put my suitcase in a written according to all the Chassidishe customs and rules, he corner and waited. A day later I called wrote that he had heard at farbrengens from mashpiim that the him and he said I had been accepted. first yechidus is like Maamad Har Sinai, and the way things are When he heard that I had not gone back established there is how it will play out for the rest of one’s life. to New York but was still in Morristown, “Therefore, I added that I am he said I was the first bachur to do that. asking the Rebbe to reveal to me the source of my soul and my mission in For the next two years I learned in the this world. I gave the letter to the secretaries before the yechidus and yeshiva. That was a wonderful time in waited for my turn to be called in. “When it was my turn, I went in my life. trembling. The Rebbe put his hand over the big pile of letters that were bachur and I couldn’t automatically why he wanted to know. He said it on his desk and without looking, be disqualified. wasn’t he who was asking. I pulled out my letter. I was amazed “He arranged an appointment for realized it was coming from the to see how the Rebbe found my me to be tested in Morristown. I Rebbe and I told him that my glasses letter so effortlessly and I waited took the test and had to wait a day would be ready at one o’clock and expectantly for what he would say. for the results. I put my suitcase in when I got them, I would return to The Rebbe began answering my a corner and waited. A day later I Morristown. personal questions that I had written called him and he said I had been “Then I thought – one minute! If and at the conclusion he said I accepted. When he heard that I had the Rebbe was asking about me, it should come again before my not gone back to New York but was was very possible that there would wedding, ‘and we will continue this still in Morristown, he said I was the be a farbrengen that day. Why was I yechidus,’ he said. first bachur to do that. For the next rushing to leave? I quickly submitted “When I was about to have two years I learned in the yeshiva. a question for the Rebbe asking yechidus again years later, before my That was a wonderful time in my whether I could stay. R’ Klein called wedding, I mentioned in my letter life, and during that time I enjoyed a me some time later and asked me to that this yechidus was a continuation very special relationship with the go to R’ Chadakov’s office, where I to the first. When I entered the Rebbe.” was told that the Rebbe asked me to Rebbe’s room, the Rebbe read the stay but nobody should know.” paper and smiled broadly. But that’s AMAZING YECHIDUYOS In the afternoon, R’ Dickstein not the only interesting thing about went to 770 and a few minutes later that yechidus. “I’ll tell you one of many stories: the Rebbe returned from the Ohel “I really wanted to bring in a “On Monday, 20 Cheshvan, I and went to daven Mincha. When tape recorder so I could record what was in Crown Heights. My glasses the davening was over, the Rebbe the Rebbe said and play it for my had broken and in those days Rabbi announced that a farbrengen would kalla. In my letter I mentioned this Mentlick would pay for glasses for take place that evening. R’ too and added that in this way my the T’mimim, so I came in to Crown Dickstein was the only one from the kalla participated in the yechidus Heights to replace them. At the yeshiva in Morristown who took part and I asked permission to record. Torah reading in the Rebbe’s minyan in that farbrengen - by direct “I gave the Rebbe the letter and I wore Rabbi Yitzchok Blizinsky’s instruction from the Rebbe. waited for his consent. The Rebbe glasses and they must have looked That’s not all of the unusual read the letter and when he read the funny on me. When the davening kiruvim he received. At his first lines about the tape recorder he was over, the secretary R’ Binyamin yechidus, something interesting took smiled and waved his hand Klein came over to me and asked me place. He had written a long letter dismissively as though to say, ‘Okay, what I was doing there. I found this relating everything he had fine.’ question surprising and asked him experienced from the day he was “As I stood near the doorway on

46 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 47

my way out, the Rebbe gave me a dollar and said to give it to the kalla in a way permissible according to Shulchan Aruch and added that I should tell her to put it between the stones of the Kosel on the day of the wedding. “When I left the room, R’ Groner saw me holding two dollars and he asked me about them. I told him about the Rebbe’s instruction in which he made me a shliach to my kalla. R’ Groner was beside himself and said this was the first time he was hearing that the Rebbe made a chassan a shliach to the kalla before the wedding.

A COUGH IS A KITRUG “A few months after the wedding I was back in 770 and I had another Rabbi Moshe Dickstein holding the Rebbe’s Torah scroll yechidus. I very much wanted to record the Rebbe again and I wrote in my letter that I had a tape with me. When the Rebbe read my request, he smilingly asked, ‘Why do you need a tape?’ and then he conceded, ‘Nu, fine.’ “At this yechidus something happened that was frightening. My wife was in Eretz Yisroel and pregnant, and the doctors were pessimistic about the birth. They had found a problem with her uterus and told us that she would have to undergo a Cesarean birth. In my letter I asked the Rebbe that the birth be easy and normal and without an operation or complications. “The Rebbe waved his hand dismissively when he read the medical diagnosis and my wife gave birth to our first child without any Rabbi Moshe Dickstein reaching out to Israeli soldiers problem in a normal birth. In this ‘gashmius’ and ‘ruchnius’ I wrote, while later. The Rebbe had circled yechidus the Rebbe said, ‘may it be ‘the Rebbe coughed.’ In the margin the words, ‘and the Rebbe coughed’ an easy birth and merit to raise him I wrote that Chassidim say that and made an arrow on bottom b’gashmius,’ and the Rebbe paused when the Rebbe coughs there is where he wrote, ‘there were to cough and then finished the something amiss and I asked kitrugim’ (heavenly accusations).” sentence, ‘and b’ruchnius.’ whether I could know what “When I left the room, I wrote a happened. OUTREACH WORK transcript of the yechidus based on “I gave my transcript to R’ After learning in Morristown for the recording and between the words Groner and received an answer a

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 47 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 48

Our conversation took off and he We have a house in Kfar Chabad but I soon forgot all about his big understood that I couldn’t live there journalistic scoop. We arranged to start learning Pirkei Avos together anymore after this explicit instruction every week, and we soon became very good friends. He ended up to go south. A few minutes after I left going to the yeshiva in Tzfas. “I can’t leave out the grand Lag the yechidus, someone asked whether I B’Omer parade that we organized together in Kikar Malchei Yisroel in was from Kfar Chabad. The day before, 5740/1980. The terrific the Rebbe told him to move to Kfar organization and the attractions we offered the kids drew a huge crowd. Chabad and he was looking for an Unfortunately, not everyone looked positively on our parade. A rabbi in apartment. I was stunned by the B’nei Brak was appalled that we had advertised that there would be hashgacha pratis. That evening we magicians. He vehemently protested that this is against the halacha and signed a contract... other rabbis joined him. Their protest didn’t have the power to stop two years, Rabbi Dickstein returned schools. One of our mekuravim the parade but unfortunately, to Eretz Yisroel. The rest of his from that period was Rami Antian Lubavitcher rabbanim joined in and class was going to Cincinnati to a”h. His story is amazing. There said we had made a chilul Hashem open a new yeshiva and he wrote to was someone who did mivtza and a chilul sheim Lubavitch. the Rebbe and asked whether he mezuzah and he showed up at an Lubavitchers in Eretz Yisroel were should join them. The Rebbe’s office in Tel Aviv and changed all the divided over the issue. answer was very surprising. The mezuzos. The office people asked “After the parade my plan was to Rebbe wrote, “Go up to Eretz him for receipts and he said he go to 770 but since I was afraid that Yisroel to the Chabad house in Bat didn’t have any and they were upset. I was guilty of causing the Rebbe Yam.” He had not even mentioned ‘Money without receipts?!’ and they anguish I ordered a return ticket that this as a possibility. His direction threatened to besmirch his name in would leave a few hours after I was clear; his shlichus in the United the newspapers. landed in New York! States was over and he was being “They knew Rami, who was then “When I arrived at Beis directed to Israel. a sports writer, and told him what Chayeinu I wrote to the Rebbe about “As soon as I arrived in Eretz happened. He jumped on the story the successful parade which had Yisroel I began working for the as if it was a major scoop. The man thousands of children and I Chabad house in Bat Yam. realized he was in big trouble and he promised pictures. After a detailed Outreach was then at peak intensity. asked me for help. I arranged an description, I wrote that in Eretz The first mitzva tank in Eretz Yisroel appointment with Rami on Rechov Yisroel there was a commotion was in Bat Yam, as was the first car HaRav Kook in Tel Aviv. First, I concerning the parade because of a that drove around and announced suggested that he put on t’fillin, but magic show when our only desire times for candle lighting. he declined. We spoke about this had been to attract the children. In Spearheaded by R’ Zimroni Tzik we and that and I was surprised to hear the end, a magician hadn’t actually did tremendous work that merited that he had been to the Rebbe performed. I wrote that I didn’t amazing responses from the Rebbe during his military service. He had know if I was in the Rebbe’s good at every step. At a certain point I been the editor of the Navy graces and if I wasn’t, then I had a was asked to do work and lecture in newsletter when a delegation from return ticket for that day and I the Bavli neighborhood of Tel Aviv the Navy visited the Rebbe as part of wouldn’t come again until I had the and from that point on, I began to a trip to the United States. Rebbe’s permission. I wrote in the work in outreach on a regular basis. “He told me enthusiastically margin that in the meantime I was “What initially got me there was about his amazing encounter with waiting in 770 for a reply. something that I am involved with the Rebbe and said he had a Siddur “I stayed in the office with my till this day – bar mitzva lectures in that he had gotten from the Rebbe. suitcases and waited for an answer.

48 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 49

R’ Klein had warned me to think it over before I submitted the letter but my mind was made up. The Rebbe was davening Mincha on the other side of the wall. I can’t describe to you how I felt in those moments. I was confused and anxious. How would the Rebbe respond to my letter? R’ Chadakov calmed me down by saying that the Rebbe is a good father and even if he didn’t like the parade, he wouldn’t be upset and he surely wouldn’t tell me to go back to Israel that same night. “When Mincha was over R’ Klein took the letter to the Rebbe’s room. I felt like a tightly coiled spring. He came out shortly with an answer. R’ Moshe Dickstein leading the Lag B’Omer parade in Beer Sheva The Rebbe had underlined the Rebbe. After a few weeks, he asked words, ‘if I am pleasing,’ and wrote, R’ Groner why he had still not ‘he is pleasing and his deeds are received a reply, and he suggested pleasing,’ and he gave a few dollars that he write again. Several more as a token of his participation in my weeks passed, and he wrote to the trip to see him. I was overjoyed. I Rebbe once again about possible rushed to the entrance and waited places for shlichus and asked the for the Rebbe to come out. When Rebbe to direct him. The Rebbe’s he did, I was about to say the answer was, ‘Precedence to Beer SheHechiyanu bracha when to my Sheva.’ surprise, the Rebbe stopped near “Before leaving 770 after me. In my excitement I started Receiving a certificate of appreciation Shavuos, I had yechidus and the repeating every bracha I knew until I from the mayor of Beer Sheva Rebbe blessed me as soon as I collected myself. walked in with ‘Mazal tov Moshe.’ “When I finally uttered the was surprised by his out of the blue When I left, R’ Klein asked me what bracha the Rebbe answered amen question and he explained that the the mazal tov was for and I said I and continued on his way. I was day before, the Rebbe told him to did not know. He asked me thrilled. When I realized the Rebbe move to Kfar Chabad and he was whether my wife was pregnant and I had had nachas from the parade, looking for an apartment. I was said she was but it was early on in there was no limit to my joy. That stunned by the hashgacha pratis. the pregnancy. When I asked R’ Shabbos I enjoyed tremendous That evening we signed a contract Mendel Futerfas about it, he said kiruvim from the Rebbe. The Rebbe and he rented our house for years.” that since I was in the first year of told me to say l’chaim over a big cup The first thing R’ Dickstein did my marriage, I was being wished and then spoke sharply about those in Beer Sheva was to become the mazal tov for the wedding. who mock the spreading of the official rabbi in various religious and “When the yechidus was over, wellsprings and explained that the irreligious schools. These positions the Rebbe once again blessed me reason for this rabbi’s unwarranted were later phased out by the with outstanding success in the hatred was that he wore pasul t’fillin Minister of Education Yitzchok shlichus in Beer Sheva. (the sicha is printed in Sichos Navon, but he continued teaching “We have a house in Kfar Kodesh 5740 vol. 3).” Jewish classes in several schools. He Chabad but I understood that I also increased his involvement in couldn’t live there anymore after this spreading the wellsprings by THE REBBE SAID: explicit instruction to go south. A koshering utensils etc., which he had BEER SHEVA` few minutes after I left the yechidus, already begun doing under the In 5740, R’ Dickstein presented I met a Lubavitcher who asked me auspices of the Chabad house run by various shlichus suggestions to the whether I was from Kfar Chabad. I Rabbi Tanchum Boroshansky. Over

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 744 49 744_B_Beis Moshiach 07/06/2010 10:37 AM Page 50

the years, they koshered thousands of kitchens. "The quickest way to reveal Moshiach is by learning the Torah He has some advice for sources about Moshiach & redemption" t"ab,wv grumnu ghrz, p"a beginners. “First, go to the house with a rav because there are many halachic complications. As the years pass, there are more and more Radio Moshiach & Redemption technological innovations that 1620-1640 AM around Crown Heights & Boro Park require halachic answers like the & 1710 AM in parts of Brooklyn 24/6 Crockpot and the electric frying pan. worldwide live broadcast: www.RadioMoshiach.org Second, sit and learn the subject over and over. Third, be practical; learn about the various utensils so the koshering work will be done properly. Boruch Hashem, I have never broken anything. Fourth, be patient and think things through; don’t rush and don’t be hasty. When you’re working with fire and boiling water, you can’t afford thoughtlessness.”

THE SOUL SPEAKS In addition to this work, R’ eer Dickstein is also a regional director of Zaka (a volunteer rescue, life- saving and recovery organization in Israel that responds to incidents of terrorism, accidents or disasters) in the Beer Sheva area. The wall of his office is full of thank you letters and notices of appreciation. Wherever he goes he makes a point of displaying the fact that he is a Chassid and mekushar to the Rebbe For donations or dedications make checks payable to: and he says this is the secret to his "Radio Moshiach & Redemption" success. He says that in all his activities he sees how the world is 383 Kingston Ave. #94, Brooklyn, NY 11213 ready for Geula, begging for it to 718 756-4530 Tel/Fax 363-1652 Email: [email protected] sgu okugk jhanv lkn ubhcru ubrun ubbust hjh come. Today nobody believes in all the old false ideologies. Everybody understands that the only solution is Moshiach. Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & Aaron Raskin We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440

50 29 Sivan 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH